New research published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that the respiratory virus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is also responsible for severe damage to blood vessels increasing the risk of blood clots. One Amsterdam study found that almost one-third of patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 demonstrated complications from blood clots.

A blood clot is a clump of blood formed when blood changes from a liquid to a thicker gel-like state. Ordinarily, this can be a life-saving mechanism to help stop bleeding; however, when the clot breaks off, it can travel through the bloodstream choking the supply of blood to essential organs such as the lungs (causing a Pulmonary Embolism) or the brain (causing a stroke).

Patients admitted to the hospital are more likely to have blood clots in the blood vessels of the legs due to immobility while hospitalized. Staying active, use of compression stockings, sequential compression devices, and, in select cases, the use of blood thinner can help lower the risk of clots.

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COVID-19 Blood Clots

There are also reports of blood clots in patients with COVID-19 who are at home and staying active. Swelling in the legs is the most common sign of blood clots. Some patients with COVID-19 develop a condition called “Covid toes” – red, swollen toes that may be due to small clots in the blood vessels of the feet.

If you have leg swelling, pain in the legs, or any other sign of a blood clot, please call us at 816-396-0245 to have a duplex ultrasound screening test for blood clots. This is performed in the comfort of the office setting at Alsara Vein Clinic.

Published March 19, 2020

As you may know, the Coronavirus outbreak has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. A pandemic is a disease that has spread worldwide. The Novel Coronavirus disease of 2019 (Covid-19) is genetically related to the 2003 SARS virus but more easily transmitted and with a much higher fatality rate. At present, there is no vaccine or innate immunity to the novel pathogen. Supportive care is the only treatment available at this time. Precautionary measures to protect and prevent the transmission of the virus offer the best chance at overcoming this pandemic.

At Alsara Vein Clinic, we have taken proactive measures to safeguard our staff, patients, and visitors alike. Please review our Health Advisory Policy and download our Coronaviris Covid-19 Info Booklet PDF, below. Help us keep all our loved ones safe and healthy.

 Sam Gupta, M.D., MPH

Alsara Vein Clinic • 1105 S Belt Hwy • St. Joseph, MO 64507 • 816-396-0245

A recent survey, conducted by the National Science Foundation, reported that Americans are the unhappiest they’ve been in 50 years. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns, economic instability, and political unrest are enough to overwhelm anyone.

But how does one boost their level of happiness amidst a relentless pandemic? I believe that there are ways to stay healthy and achieve fulfillment in life if we focus on our priorities. I present to you, arguably, the two most important factors backed by science to help navigate through tumultuous times.

Stay Connected with Loved Ones

Harvard University conducted the longest study of adults for clues to leading healthy and happy lives. Analysis of the data collected over the course of 80+ years revealed startling information. Researchers reported that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships have a powerful influence on our health.

In his TED talk, Robert Waldinger, Director of the Harvard Study, states that many people tend to think that fame, fortune, and hard work will bring them happiness. The study found that social connections are the most important factor responsible for our well-being. Numerous other equally surprising correlations came out of this study, such as people’s level of satisfaction with their relationships at age 50 was a better predictor of physical health than their cholesterol levels were, and that marital satisfaction has a protective effect on mental health.

Waldinger stated in his TED talk, “Good relationships don’t just protect our bodies; they protect our brains”.  He reported that those who kept warm relationships were found to live longer and happier while the loners tended to die earlier.

Take Care of Your Health

Many people are delaying their medical care waiting for normalcy to return, which is actually nowhere in sight. Another report indicated that 80% of adults are concerned about catching the Covid-19 virus in the emergency room and avoid seeking care, even during an emergency.

Several studies have shown that being happy has a positive impact on our health, correlating to a 13-26% reduction in the risk of heart disease., ,  One doesn’t need scientific evidence to recognize that happiness can be elusive in absence of good health. In fact, the constitution of the World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being”.

At an organic level, we are composed of countless cells, each performing a function while subject to growth, repair, and replacement within our body. Cells form tissue that in turn form organ systems such as skin, brain, and the vascular system.

Food is necessary for the cell to function, hence a person needs to have a balanced diet. Likewise, adequate sleep, regular exercise, and management of stress ensure proper bodily functions. The slightest breakdown in one part of our body can adversely affect various organ systems, interfering with our ability to enjoy a fulfilling happy life. Breakdown in the venous system in our legs is no exception to the interconnectedness.

Although vein problems affect almost half of the adult population, there are many who are living with heaviness in their legs, chronic fatigue, leg cramps, and restlessness in their legs but unaware of the association.

Discomfort in the legs and the inability to get a restful sleep at night due to restless leg syndrome has a compounding effect leading to a further reduction in the ability to stay active. Reduction in the activity of the calf pump leads to worsening of chronic venous insufficiency. One can see how this forms a self-perpetuating cycle leading to the deterioration of overall health and feeling of well-being.

To make matters worse, patients are unable to make a correlation between veins and their symptoms often confusing spider veins with the diseased veins present deep inside the leg responsible for chronic venous insufficiency. Left untreated, the condition continues to worsen and may manifest as frequent skin infections (cellulitis), profuse bleeding, poorly healing sores in the legs, and life-threatening blood clots.

Gone are the days of painful vein stripping with prolonged recovery times. The latest treatment options such as Laser ablation, Varithena, and the revolutionary Venaseal (medical superglue) are minimally invasive, safe, and very effective. There is minimal to no discomfort during the procedures and there is no downtime. You can start the New Year with healthy, pain-free beautiful legs.

Always remember that life is a beautiful journey… and you will need your legs for it!

Sam Gupta, M.D., MPH

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.