Vascular disease

Veins have one way valves to channel blood back to the heart. Varicose veins develop when the valves of the veins become damaged. This causes blood to pool in the veins, enlarging them and often making the veins just beneath the skin visible. They can occur anywhere in the body, but are particularly common in the surface veins in the legs.

Symptoms of varicose veins include:

• Achy, tired, heavy feeling in the area of the varicose veins or generally in the legs, especially after standing
• Burning or throbbing pain in the legs
• Enlarged, twisted and swollen veins that are visible through the skin
• Itching
• Leg cramps or swelling
• Sores that have trouble healing, discoloration of the skin or rashes (in severe cases)

Anyone can get varicose veins, but vein problems tend to be hereditary (run in families) and occur in women. Other factors that can affect veins include:

• A job where you stand or sit a lot
• Age
• Extra weight or lack of exercise
• Pregnancy, hormones and birth control pills

We offer two specialty centers for treating varicose veins with advanced, minimally invasive procedures at the:

• Heart and vascular care department at Lone Peak Hospital
• Vascular care department at St. Mark’s Hospital

Self-care for varicose veins

Before suggesting surgery or procedures, your doctor may suggest you try self-care for varicose veins. They may advise you to:

• Avoid sitting and standing for long periods of time—to keep blood moving
• Elevate your legs—raise your legs above heart level for 15-20 minutes at the end of the day to help relieve swelling
• Exercise—try 30 minutes a day of walking, cycling or swimming to improve blood flow
• Maintain a healthy weight—to keep extra pressure off your veins
• Wear elastic stockings—to keep blood flowing in the right direction (your doctor can advise you on how and when to wear these)