Varicose Veins

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are a common problem that, at first, is more of a cosmetic issue than a medical one. The affected veins become more prominent, showing through the skin and often appearing like twisted red, blue, or purple ropes.

The veins tend to stand out from your skin after a while and may start to itch and become quite tender. Varicose veins are most likely to come up on your legs, although they can affect other parts of your body and cause conditions like pelvic congestion syndrome.

Without treatment, varicose veins can make your legs feel achy, heavy, and sore. They could lead to edema (leg swelling) and, in severe cases, the development of treatment-resistant open sores (venous ulcers).

Why do I have varicose veins?

The underlying condition that causes varicose veins is called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) or venous reflux.

CVI is due to a malfunction in the valves inside your veins. These valves are tiny gateways that open when blood pumps up your leg, then close to stop it from coming back down. If the valves are too weak or damaged to close properly, blood seeps back down the veins and collects to form varicose veins.

Women develop varicose veins more often than men, and a family history of varicose veins indicates you have a higher risk of CVI. Being overweight or obese, smoking, spending long periods on your feet, and insufficient exercise can make varicose veins worse.

What treatments are available for varicose veins?

The Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona team finds that one of the most effective treatments for varicose veins is endovenous ablation using the Venefit™ procedure.

When you have Venefit, your provider uses ultrasound imaging to insert a tiny tube (catheter) into the varicose vein through a small opening in your skin. The catheter delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein walls. 

As your provider withdraws the catheter, the heat created causes the collagen in the vein wall to shrink, and your vein closes.

Following treatment, blood re-routes to other healthy veins, and the varicose veins disappear. Venefit is a straightforward in-office procedure that requires little downtime but produces remarkable results.

To find out how Venefit can rid you of unsightly varicose veins, call Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona or book an appointment online today.