Many patients now recognize that varicose veins may not be visible from the outside. Most of our patients report experiencing tiredness, cramping (charley horse), restlessness, or swelling in the legs. Those whose condition has not reached one of the advanced stages often wonder if they are at increased risk of anything that could be limb or life-threatening.

At least one-third of our patients clearly have signs of advanced venous insufficiency – when varicose veins have progressed to a point where the chronic pooling of blood (stasis) in the legs causes skin changes. They may notice skin discoloration, thickening or hardening of the skin, recurrent skin infections, bleeding that can be profuse, and poorly healing sores in the legs. In addition, varicose veins may be an early warning sign of potentially deadly blood clots.

We routinely see patients with blood clots. Some are referred by their primary care providers and others present themselves with concerns about blood clots. Yet there are many patients who are surprised to find that they have a blood clot when we examine them using duplex ultrasound.

Blood clots are far more common than most people think. Serena Williams and Hillary Clinton are among the dozens of celebrities who have suffered consequences due to blood clots. James “Jimmy” Stewart from the movie It’s a Wonderful Life and NBC journalist David Bloom lost their lives from blood clots. David Bloom’s wife, Melonie Bloom, has devoted her life to raising awareness of thrombosis.

The association between varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was demonstrated in a landmark Taiwanese study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). Reviewing the health records of over 425,000 adults, the study found a higher rate of pulmonary embolism (when a blood clot in the leg breaks off and travels to the lung) and peripheral artery disease in patients with varicose veins.

• Varicose veins increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by five times
• DVT is a clot in the legs, which can lead to amputation or even death
• Varicose veins make people twice as likely to develop a pulmonary embolism
• Varicose veins double the risk of peripheral artery disease, which reduces blood flow

Varicose veins are veins with weakened walls that fail and cause pooling of blood in the legs. Patients with varicose veins are known to have increased levels of inflammatory and pro-thrombotic markers. These patients have a considerably high risk of forming blood clots in their legs.

Not all clots are serious, but they often tell us about an underlying problem such as impaired blood flow that can lead to greater problems down the road. As Dr. Chang, the lead author of the Taiwanese study stated, “varicose veins deserve careful monitoring and early evaluation”.

Call us at 816-396-0245. We are here for you.