Peripheral Vein Disease is most common among men and women over age 50. A family history of early arthrosclerosis predisposes one to PVD. Modifiable risk factors include smoking, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. People with a history of vascular problems like heart attack, angina, and stroke are at risk.
CVI
Veins are hollow tubes with small valves that keep blood flowing in the correct direction. When the valves are open, blood flows in the direction of gravity, toward the feet. When the valves are closed, the blood is prevented from flowing into the legs, instead flowing from the extremities toward the lungs where it picks up oxygen. When the valves malfunction, blood flows backwards, toward the feet. To compensate, the veins bulge and swell. Because the blood is not flowing well inside the veins, it pools in the legs and feet, and increases pressure in the veins. Increased pressure in the veins causes the vein walls to weaken, and further damages the valves. This is called chronic venous insufficiency.
Causes:
Symptoms:
Varicose veins look ugly, but more importantly they can cause CVI. Here the valves malfunction causing ankles and legs to swell. Long standing varicose veins can lead to leg ulcers.
Primary varicose veins are associated with heredity, age, gender and pregnancy. Secondary varicose veins are deep vein occlusions associated with Deep Vein Thrombus DVT).
Exercise, weight loss, blood pressure control, leg elevation and compression stockings are standard treatments for varicose veins. Endovascular minimally invasive surgery is used to ablate the veins, improve appearance, and facilitate rerouting of blood to the lungs. 50% of those with various veins are likely to develop recurrent varicose veins.
This is where blood clots form and in severe cases, ulcers form on the lower legs. Any obstruction in the veins can increase pressure further damaging the valves. Symptoms include leg pain and hardness of the calves. But, in about half the cases, there are no symptoms and no pain. It is not usually life-threatening, but can result in a pulmonary embolism. This is a life-threatening condition where the clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs.
Risk Factors:
The risk of DVT increases with the more risk factors you have.
Inflammation of the superficial veins. Often there is no obvious cause. It can be caused by minor injuries to the leg veins. Simple phlebitis can be treated at home with leg elevation, compression stockings, warm compresses, and over- the- counter anti-inflammatory drugs. CVI can affect anyone. Men and women are equally affected. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease. Consult the experts at BASS. They have the experience and skills you can rely on to provide you with excellent care.
Treatment depends on your age, specific symptoms, the severity of your condition and your general health. The goal is to improve blood flow. Use of compression stockings decreases swelling. Moving the legs regularly will keep blood flowing.
If your condition is severe, your doctor may recommend the following treatments:
Exercise, weight loss, blood pressure control, leg elevation and compression stockings are standard treatments for varicose veins.
If DVT is not treated quickly, almost 25% of patients will end up with PE. Treatment is focused on preventing PE. Blood thinners are prescribed as the first line treatment. Anticoagulant therapy should continue for at least 3-6 months, or more. At one year after treatment, the risk of PE decreases from 5% to almost no risk.
Diagnosis:
Complications:
Treatment
CVI can affect anyone. Men and women are equally affected. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease. Consult the experts at BASS. They have the experience and skills you can rely on to provide you with excellent care.
CVI
Veins are hollow tubes with small valves that keep blood flowing in the correct direction. When the valves are open, blood flows in the direction of gravity, toward the feet. When the valves are closed, the blood is prevented from flowing into the legs, instead flowing from the extremities toward the lungs where it picks up oxygen. When the valves malfunction, blood flows backwards, toward the feet. To compensate, the veins bulge and swell. Because the blood is not flowing well inside the veins, it pools in the legs and feet, and increases pressure in the veins. Increased pressure in the veins causes the vein walls to weaken, and further damages the valves. This is called chronic venous insufficiency.
Causes:
Symptoms:
Varicose veins look ugly, but more importantly they can cause CVI. Here the valves malfunction causing ankles and legs to swell. Long standing varicose veins can lead to leg ulcers.
Primary varicose veins are associated with heredity, age, gender and pregnancy. Secondary varicose veins are deep vein occlusions associated with Deep Vein Thrombus DVT).
Exercise, weight loss, blood pressure control, leg elevation and compression stockings are standard treatments for varicose veins. Endovascular minimally invasive surgery is used to ablate the veins, improve appearance, and facilitate rerouting of blood to the lungs. 50% of those with various veins are likely to develop recurrent varicose veins.
This is where blood clots form and in severe cases, ulcers form on the lower legs. Any obstruction in the veins can increase pressure further damaging the valves. Symptoms include leg pain and hardness of the calves. But, in about half the cases, there are no symptoms and no pain. It is not usually life-threatening, but can result in a pulmonary embolism. This is a life-threatening condition where the clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs.
Risk Factors:
The risk of DVT increases with the more risk factors you have.
Inflammation of the superficial veins. Often there is no obvious cause. It can be caused by minor injuries to the leg veins. Simple phlebitis can be treated at home with leg elevation, compression stockings, warm compresses, and over- the- counter anti-inflammatory drugs. CVI can affect anyone. Men and women are equally affected. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease. Consult the experts at BASS. They have the experience and skills you can rely on to provide you with excellent care.
Treatment depends on your age, specific symptoms, the severity of your condition and your general health. The goal is to improve blood flow. Use of compression stockings decreases swelling. Moving the legs regularly will keep blood flowing.
If your condition is severe, your doctor may recommend the following treatments:
Exercise, weight loss, blood pressure control, leg elevation and compression stockings are standard treatments for varicose veins.
If DVT is not treated quickly, almost 25% of patients will end up with PE. Treatment is focused on preventing PE. Blood thinners are prescribed as the first line treatment. Anticoagulant therapy should continue for at least 3-6 months, or more. At one year after treatment, the risk of PE decreases from 5% to almost no risk.
Diagnosis:
Complications:
Treatment
CVI can affect anyone. Men and women are equally affected. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease. Consult the experts at BASS. They have the experience and skills you can rely on to provide you with excellent care.
