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Vascular disease

Vascular disease is a broad term used to describe conditions and diseases affecting the arteries and veins. These blood vessels are vital for blood circulation throughout the body, and problems with vascular function may result in adverse health effects.

Varicose vein center in Salt Lake City, Utah

St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, provides varicose vein treatments to people living with pain and skin discoloration caused by varicose or spider veins.

Our vascular specialists will help diagnose your condition and determine the most effective treatment plan to ease your symptoms. Additionally, our board-certified surgeons are equipped to treat a wide range of vascular conditions. With years of experience in vascular care, you can trust our team to be there for you to treat conditions from aortic aneurysms to varicose veins.

Heart risk assessment

Compare your actual age to your heart's biological age, calculate your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and prioritize your most harmful risk factors.

Compare your actual age to your heart's biological age, calculate your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and prioritize your most harmful risk factors.

Expert advice, available 24/7

Free medical information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.

Free medical information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.

What are varicose or spider veins?

Veins are one-way channels that transport blood to the heart, however, when a valve within the vein becomes damaged, blood pools in the vein. This creates the visible veins just under the surface of the skin, which are usually either:

  • Varicose veins—typically thicker and dark blue in color
  • Spider veins—typically thinner, and may be more purple or red in color

Though these types of veins can appear anywhere on the body, however they are most commonly found in the legs.

What causes varicose and spider veins?

Anyone can develop these types of veins, however, they most often occur in women.

The following factors also put you at a greater risk of developing them:

  • Being older
  • Being pregnant or taking hormones or birth control pills
  • Having extra weight (greater than what your doctor determines is healthy for you) on your body
  • Leading a more sedentary lifestyle that is lacking in exercise
  • Working in a job where you stand or sit for long periods of time

Are varicose and spider veins dangerous?

For some people, varicose veins are never a problem. Severe cases of varicose veins may cause discoloration, rashes or sores that are difficult to heal. However, more common symptoms of these veins include:

  • Achy, tired and heavy feeling in the area of the veins
  • Burning or throbbing pain in the legs
  • Enlarged, twisted and swollen veins that are visible through the skin
  • General discomfort in the legs or area of the veins
  • Itching in the area of the veins
  • Swelling or cramps in the legs

You may find symptoms associated with these veins are worse at the end of the day, which is typically caused by extended sitting or standing.

How are varicose and spider veins treated?

St. Mark’s Hospital offers two treatments to remove varicose veins in the most comfortable way for you. Both treatment options—a medical adhesive system and a thermal heat closure procedure—are minimally invasive.

Medical adhesive closure

We use an advanced technology to deliver special medical adhesive into the diseased vein to close it. It provides patients with less pain and bruising and a faster recovery than the traditional thermal heat closure technique. (This treatment option may not be covered by your health insurance provider.)

Thermal heat closure

During our thermal heat closure procedure for varicose veins, we use a thin catheter. It is delicately inserted into the vein where it is able to deliver radiofrequency energy. This heats up the vein wall, causing it to close.

What to expect after vein treatments

You can typically resume your regular activities after the vein treatments mentioned above, however, your surgeon will be able to tell you what to expect in your unique case. They may suggest a walking regimen or refraining from strenuous activities and prolonged standing. Either way, most patients see symptoms improve within one to two weeks after their procedure.

Our Vascular disease Locations

Currently Viewing:

St. Mark's Hospital
1200 E 3900 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
 (801) 268 - 7111

Currently Viewing:

St. Mark's Hospital
1200 E 3900 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
 (801) 268 - 7111
Lone Peak Hospital
11925 S State St
Draper, UT 84020
 (801) 545 - 8000

10.5 miles

Lakeview Hospital
630 Medical Dr
Bountiful, UT 84010
 (801) 299 - 2200

13.8 miles