Genesis Heart and Vascular is pleased to provide testing and treatment for venous disease.
WHAT IS VENOUS DISEASE?
Venous disease is a condition that occurs when the veins in the legs become diseased or abnormal. It occurs when the vein walls become weak, damaged, stretched, or injured and the veins stop working normally. This causes the blood to flow backward and pool in the legs creating unusually high pressure in the veins. Venous disease includes conditions such as spider veins, varicose veins, and chronic venous insufficiency. Venous disease impacts more than 30 million Americans.
WHAT ARE VARICOUS VEINS?
Varicose veins are enlarged veins in the legs that can be blue, red or flesh-colored. They are often raised above the skin and look like twisted, bulging chords. Varicose veins may not be just a cosmetic issue. If left untreated, varicose veins can progress to chronic venous insufficiency, which is a more serious form of venous disease.
WHAT IS CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY?
Chronic venous insufficiency is a progressive medical condition. The pooling of blood in the lower legs causes symptoms such as ankle swelling, fatigue, restless legs, and pain in the legs. Over time, skin changes and leg ulcers may occur.
CAN VENOUS DISEASE BE TREATED?
Milder forms of venous disease can be treated with compression stockings, leg elevation, strengthening leg muscles, and avoiding prolonged periods of standing. For more advanced forms of the disease a number of minimally invasive treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation, are currently available. Since venous disease cannot always be prevented it is important to talk to a vein specialist about treatment options before the condition worsens.
WHAT IS RADIOFREQUENCY VEIN ABLATION?
Radiofrequency ablation is performed on an outpatient basis. A small catheter is placed in the diseased vein through a small opening in the skin. The catheter delivers radiofrequency energy to provide even and uniform heat to the vein walls. This causes the vein to collapse and seal off. Once the diseased vein is closed, blood is re-routed to other healthy veins in the leg. Most people that have the procedure typically resume normal activities in 1-2 days.