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Varicose Veins Specialist

Louisiana Heart and Vascular

Interventional Cardiologists & Internal Medicine located in Covington, Mandeville, Hammond, Franklinton, and Slidell, LA

About 1 in 5 people in the United States have varicose veins. To reduce pain and possible complications of varicose veins, interventional cardiologist Farhad Aduli, MD, FACC, offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services at Louisiana Heart and Vascular in Covington, Louisiana. Dr. Aduli and his medical team use advanced diagnostic technologies and provide minimally invasive sclerotherapy procedures to treat the damaged vein and improve your overall vascular health. To find out more about treatments available for varicose veins, call Louisiana Heart and Vascular or request an appointment online today.

Varicose Veins Q & A

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are the result of venous insufficiency, which develops when your veins can’t keep the oxygen-depleted blood moving back toward your heart. In healthy veins, the valves keep blood from pooling or even slipping backward, away from your heart. 

Due to aging or a person’s underlying health issues, some valves may not work as they should, and blood can move backward in the vein until it reaches valves that are functioning correctly.

Typically, varicose veins develop in your legs because blood needs to fight against gravity to move back up to your heart. As the blood pools, it causes the vein to enlarge and bulge under the surface of your skin.

You may also be at increased risk for varicose veins due to:

  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Family history
  • Inactive lifestyle

Varicose veins may also be the result of deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot that forms in a vein deep within your body.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Varicose veins appear as large, ropey bulges that may be blue or purple in color. The veins can be twisted and painful.

People with varicose veins also may experience:

  • Itching
  • Burning
  • Leg heaviness
  • Muscle cramps
  • Changes in skin color

Your symptoms may get worse if you stand for extended periods of time, especially on hard surfaces.

In addition to physical symptoms, you may be embarrassed by the bulging, discolored appearance of these unsightly veins. 

How are varicose veins treated?

During your evaluation for varicose veins, Dr. Aduli reviews your personal and family medical histories. He physically examines your veins and discusses your symptoms to determine if you need treatment.

The standard treatment option for varicose veins is sclerotherapy. This minimally invasive procedure involves the injection of a special chemical to seal the vein closed. Your blood reroutes to healthier veins nearby, and over time, the damaged vein collapses and is absorbed naturally into your body.

Sclerotherapy is also a treatment option for spider veins, smaller damaged veins that appear just under the surface of your skin and aren’t as severely enlarged as varicose veins.

Following treatment for varicose or spider veins, Dr. Aduli may recommend that you wear compression stockings. These stockings compress your legs and help blood flow more efficiently back to your heart to reduce your risk for additional varicose vein issues.

To find out if you need treatment for varicose veins, call Louisiana Heart and Vascular or request an evaluation through the online booking system today.

We see patients from the following surrounding cities: Covington, Mandeville, and Slidell, LA. Call us to book your appointment today.