• 1840 Mease Drive, Suite 319, Safety Harbor, Florida 34695
  • Mon - Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Under the expert guidance of our Board Certified Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Mark Zuzga, our team of Vein Specialists & Vascular Experts are committed to delivering top-tier outpatient vascular & vein evaluation and treatment throughout the greater Tampa & West Florida surrounding areas. Should you find yourself dealing with leg pain, swelling, ulcers, discoloration, or the appearance of spider and varicose veins, we invite you to request a screening today

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Office Hours

Mon - Fri:8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday:Office Closed
Sunday:Office Closed
+(727) 712-3233
info@wfvav.com

Varicose Veins

What Are Varicose Veins?

A critical venous disorder that intensifies with time, and if not addressed, could culminate in fatal blood clots.

Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen, and twisting veins, often appearing blue or dark purple. They happen when faulty valves in the veins allow blood to flow in the wrong direction or to pool. Typically occurring in the legs and feet, they may cause discomfort but are generally not a severe medical condition. However, in some cases, they can lead to more serious health problems like deep vein thrombosis or skin ulcers.

Varicose veins usually are the result of a breakdown of the Great Saphenous Vein, an internal vein on the inside of the thigh. The great saphenous vein is only visible with an ultrasound test, therefore, all patients with bulging varicose veins need ultrasound testing prior to treatment.
  • Fact: It is estimated that about 20% of all adults will get varicose veins at some point in their lives
  • Fact: Varicose veins affect 22 million women and 11 million men between the ages of 40 to 80 years
  • Fact: 25 percent of those with varicose veins are men (basically of all the individuals suffering from this condition, one in four is male)
  • Fact: Varicose veins affect up to 35% of people in the United States, and the tendency to develop varicose veins can be inherited

Do you fall in these statistics?  Are you experiencing Varicose Vein related issues? Contact Dr. Zuzga and his team today by scheduling a Vein Screening.

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What Causes Varicose Veins?

They occur due to the breakdown of saphenous vein one-way valves causing leakage of blood in the wrong direction.
Instead of moving upwards, the blood seeps from the thigh down into the calf, accumulating in the veins there. This build-up of pressurized blood causes the veins to expand, swell, and transform into varicose veins. If not addressed promptly, these varicose veins can result in harmful blood clots or sizable ulcers within the ankle. Veins are designed with one-way valves to facilitate the ‘uphill’ return of blood to the heart. When these valves fail, gravity’s pressure causes the vein branches to dilate and elongate. It’s crucial to note that unhealthy veins can trigger a domino effect, leading to the formation of more problematic veins.
Certain conditions can lead to Varicose Veins such as:
  • Age: As you get older, your veins can lose elasticity & become weak.
  • Pregnancy: Increases the blood volume in the body, but decreases blood flow from the legs to the pelvis.
  • Obesity: Being overweight puts extra pressure on your veins.
  • Family History: Varicose veins can be hereditary, increasing your risk if family members have them.
  • Prolonged Standing/Sitting: Especially with crossed or bent legs, can impede blood flow and contribute to varicose veins.
It’s important to note that having one or more of these risk factors does not guarantee that you will develop varicose veins, but it does increase your chances.
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What Causes Women to be More Susceptible to Varicose Veins?

Women are more likely to develop varicose veins due to several factors. One of the primary reasons is hormonal changes, particularly the increased levels of progesterone during pregnancy, which can weaken vein valves and make it harder for blood to return to the heart. Another prevalent concern during pregnancy is associated with the growth of the uterus. As it expands, the uterus imposes additional pressure on the primary veins, leading to an amplified pressure within the leg veins. These types of instances can result in veins that swell, bulge, and twist against the skin. Additionally, women are generally more susceptible to this condition due to genetic predisposition.

What Are The Symptoms & What You Can Expect?

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In the journey of dealing with varicose veins, one can indeed encounter a variety of symptoms such as:
  • Veins that are dark purple or blue in color.
  • Veins that appear twisted and bulging, often like cords on your legs.
  • An achy or heavy feeling in your legs.
  • Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping, and swelling in your lower legs.
  • Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time.
  • Itching around one or more of your veins.
  • Skin discoloration around a varicose vein.
The good news is that, Yes, varicose veins can be treated and in many cases, completely eliminated. Thanks to endovenous technology, both the saphenous vein and the varicose bulges are easily treated in the office with local anesthesia. Because varicose veins are a medical problem that can lead to complications if left untreated, the treatments are covered by most insurance carriers.
No, neither the saphenous veins, the perforators nor the varicose veins themselves are essential. In fact, since diseased veins have abnormal direction flow, they are actually detrimental to your circulation.
Without treatment varicose veins always progress. Remember that gravity will always win! Larger and longer varicose veins are harder to treat and are associated with worse symptoms. The “end stage” of untreated varicose veins are chronically swollen legs with brown / purple discoloration (stasis dermatitis). This unhealthy skin will break down and form chronic, draining ulcers at the ankle (stasis ulcers).
It’s important to note that having one or more of these risk factors does not guarantee that you will develop spider veins, but it does increase your chances.

Varicose Vein Treatment Options

When it comes to managing varicose veins, there are several surgical treatment options that offer effective and long-lasting results. Each one employs innovative techniques to target and eliminate problematic veins, thereby improving both comfort and appearance.

Here at West Florida Vein & Vascular, we offer several surgical treatment options. Two of the most common forms of surgical treatments are Endovenous Ablation and Microphlebectomy. Endovenous ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the use of heat to damage the vein, causing scar tissue to form, which closes the vein. Over time, the vein fades away as the body gradually absorbs the scar tissue. On the other hand, microphlebectomy, also known as ambulatory phlebectomy, involves removing varicose veins through tiny, slit-like incisions in the skin. This procedure can eliminate the appearance of varicose veins and alleviate associated symptoms./span>

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Sclerotherapy
Endovenous Ablation
Microphlebectomy
Venefit Procedure

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No one needs to suffer from untreated varicose vein disease or arterial related diseases anymore. In addition, with today’s favorable insurance coverage, the procedures are even more accessible. If you have a vein problem, contact us today.

Telephone: (727) 712-3233
Facsimile: (727) 712-1853
Email: Contact Us Online

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