Varicose Veins (cont.)

When to Seek Medical Care

If a person has varicose veins, any of the following warrant a visit to a health care provider:

• Inflammation, discoloration, or ulceration of the skin or swelling of the calf or leg is more typical of problems related to the deeper veins, especially a blood clot.
  
  
• Unexplained pain or swelling in a leg particularly suggests a blood clot. Varicose veins by themselves do not usually cause a leg to swell.

Varicose veins alone are relatively harmless, but every now and then they can cause minor problems.

• If the skin overlying the vein is thin or irritated, minor trauma from a bump or even shaving can tear the vein and cause bleeding. In this case, elevating the leg and applying pressure for several minutes should be enough to stop the bleeding. If it does not, you may need to visit your hospital emergency department.
  
  
• If, at any time, you feel chest pain or have trouble breathing, this may indicate the presence of a blood clot in the blood vessels of the heart or lungs. You should go to a hospital emergency department immediately.

Having varicose veins does not necessarily mean you will eventually have a blood clot or that a blood clot somehow caused them.

• In rare instances, however, a clot increases pressure in the veins by blocking blood flow.
  
  
• This elevated pressure will cause backward flow of blood through weakened valves, creating varicose veins.
  
  
• For this reason, you should see your health care provider if your leg is swollen or if you experience worsening pain in the leg, or if you should suddenly develop varicose veins and you do not have any of the common risk factors such as pregnancy.

Next: Questions to Ask the Doctor »

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