The Heart House Vein Center 
The Heart House Vein Center specializes in the treatment of varicose veins, spider veins, deep vein thrombosis and other venous disease. Approximately half of the population has some form of vein disease. Varicose veins affect up to 25% of all adults and about half of all people over 50. The most common cause of vein disease is heredity. Pregnancy, especially multiple pregnancies, is a contributing cause of vein disease. Other factors include age, obesity, certain medications, hormonal changes, injury, jobs that require long periods of standing, and advancing age.
 Heart House Vein Center Specialists Dr. Sanford Gips and Dr. Vijay Verma |
Common Vein Disorders
Varicose veins Varicose veins are swollen, dark blue or purple blood vessels that you can see and feel beneath the skin. They often look like twisted cords, and usually appear on the calves, thighs, inside of the legs, and ankles. People with varicose veins often experience leg swelling, tired legs, restless legs, night cramps, itching, and skin darkening, especially at the ankles.
Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are small, thin, blood vessels visible beneath the skin. They appear on the upper and lower legs and may look like a series of lines, tree branches, or a spider- or web-like shape with a dark center.
 Varicose Veins |
 Spider Veins |
Deep vein thrombosis, commonly referred to as DVT, occurs when a blood clot enters the large veins of the legs or pelvic area. They may be painful, but some may be completely asymptomatic. DVT is usually treated with anticoagulant medicines. These medicines are often called blood thinners, but they do not actually thin the blood. They prevent blood clots by increasing the time it takes a blood clot to form. Also, anticoagulants help prevent existing blood clots from becoming larger.
NOTE: Varicose veins and superficial veins cannot be safely treated when DVT is present. For patients with DVT, your condition and its treatment should be monitored by your primary physician and/or general cardiologist.
What causes veins to enlarge?
The veins in your legs are tubes that carry blood from your legs to your heart. One-way valves are located along these tubes. These valves are supposed to only allow the blood to flow up, out of your legs, and back to your heart. Occasionally, a problem will develop with the valves that allow the blood to flow backward and build up in the leg vein. This is known as reflux. When reflux occurs, extra pressure is placed on the walls of the vein. This causes the vein to expand.
 From left to right: Normal vein with valve open, normal vein with valve closed, varicose vein with "leaky" valve. |
Signs, Symptoms and Diagnosis of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins may cause an aching or burning feeling in your legs, pain, itching around the vein, swelling, color changes in the skin or non-healing sores. An ultrasound examination is often performed to evaluate the "health" of your veins. This procedure uses sound waves to visualize what is happening inside the body and is painless.
Consequences of Untreated Venous Reflux
If not treated, venous reflux may cause pain, swelling and varicose veins. These problems may progress to permanent darkening of the skin, bleeding, blood clots, non-healing ulcers and infection.
 Figure 1 |
 Figure 2 |
 Figure 3 |
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Figure 1 Large varicose veins and early skin changes from venous reflux. Figure 2 Increased pigmentation, eczema and swelling caused by more advanced disease. Figure 3 Venous stasis ulcer, which is one of the worst complications of untreated venous reflux. | ||
Treatment Options
Varicose veins may not require any treatment if you are not experiencing any symptoms and are not bothered by their appearance. If, however, you are experiencing symptoms, or want to improve the cosmetic appearance of your legs, the physicians at The Heart House Vein Center will develop a treatment plan based on your individualized needs. This treatment may include conservative management, sclerotherapy, laser vein treatment or ambulatory phlebectomy.
Conservative Treatment
Conservative treatment includes life-style changes such as weight loss, exercise, elevation and use of compression stockings. Compression stockings help in the treatment of varicose veins by squeezing the blood back out of your legs to prevent congestion. These stockings require a physician prescription. To help relieve the discomfort from varicose veins, these stockings must be worn during the day until you are able to elevate your legs at night.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is very successful and the most popular method for eliminating spider veins. In this procedure, a tiny needle is used to inject a medication directly into the vein. This medication causes an irritation to the inner lining of the vein and results in closure of the vein. With time, the vein disappears. Most people experience little discomfort during the injection. The treatment takes approximately 15 minutes. Treatment differs from patient to patient. Generally, two to four treatments are required. For optimal results, the treatments are scheduled four to six weeks apart.
If the initial treatments are successful, the treated veins are either gone or much less noticeable. However, many patients develop new spider veins and a yearly "touch up" may become necessary.
» Follow this link to learn more about Sclerotherapy Treatment at the Heart House Vein Center
 Sclerotherapy |
Laser Vein Treatment or Laser Ablation
Laser vein treatment (also called laser ablation) has been very successful in treating varicose veins caused by reflux in the saphenous vein. The procedure is performed in the doctor's office and takes about an hour. You will have the choice of local anesthesia (numbing medicine is injected into the skin like at the dentist) or sedation and anesthesia if you are very anxious. In this procedure, a catheter (small tube) is inserted into the vein, and a laser is used to deliver energy to shrink and close the problem vein. Several days after the procedure, an ultrasound will be performed to evaluate the treated vein.
 Laser vein treatment (also called laser ablation) |
Most patients report little discomfort during or after the procedure. Recovery time is fast. Patients are encouraged to walk the same day of the procedure and to return to their normal activities the day after the procedure. Strenuous exercise may usually be resumed in one week.
Laser vein treatment is a safe and effective procedure. Blood that would have flowed into the problem vein is redirected into other healthy veins to drain the leg. The procedure has been clinically proven to be more successful, have lower recurrence rates, less postoperative pain and faster recovery when compared to the traditional procedure of "vein stripping." Most patients are satisfied with the results.
» Follow this link to learn more about Laser Vein Treatment at the Heart House Vein Center
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Ambulatory phlebectomy is often used after laser vein treatment to achieve optimal cosmetic results. In this procedure, the skin is numbed with a local anesthetic and the varicose vein is removed through a very small incision. The incision is then closed with a tape strip. In most cases, the individual may resume their normal activities the following day.
Contact Us
Please get in touch to learn more about the Heart House Vein Center. Schedule an appointment today to discuss the best vein treatment options for you.
