Vascular disease includes any condition that affects the circulatory system. As the heart beats, it pumps blood through a system of blood vessels called the circulatory system.The vessels are elastic tubes that carry blood to every part of the body. Arteries carry blood away from the heart while veins return it.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the legs or lower extremities is the narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the legs. It is primarily caused by the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries, which is called atherosclerosis. PAD can happen in any blood vessel, but it is more common in the legs than the arms.

Arteries move oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the extremities and can be thought of as a tube or hose. Veins have one-way valves to help direct oxygen-depleted blood up the legs towards the heart. In normal veins, the valves close so that blood cannot leak back down the legs. In people with vein disease, the one-way valves don’t close all the way. Blood then leaks back down the veins (venous reflux) and collects in the legs, causing the veins to enlarge and causing symptoms or complications.

There are three types of veins in the leg:

*  Superficial veins.  These veins are visible within the skin or just below the skin.  They   include spider veins, varicose veins, and reticular veins.
*  Deep veins.  These are the main veins which are located within the leg muscles or in   the pelvis and abdomen.
*  Perforator veins.  These veins connect the superficial and deep veins.

If you have vein disease, it can affect any of these veins. Symptoms can be severe and serious complications could develop.

Many people have visibly abnormal veins (spider veins or bulging varicose veins). Symptoms can include pain, aching, throbbing, itching, cramping, swelling, or heaviness. These symptoms usually get worse as the day progresses or when standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

Severe varicose veins can compromise the nutrition of the skin and lead to eczema, inflammation or even ulceration of the lower leg. Complications of more advanced vein disease may include darkened or damaged skin around the ankles, open skin ulcers, phlebitis (inflammation of a vein caused by a clot), and blood clots that can travel to the heart or lungs.

Vein disorders are not always visible, a non-invasive ultrasound, is the main tool used in determining the cause and severity of a problem.

Virtually all vein problems can be diagnosed with an ultrasound. This completely non-invasive exam uses sound waves to view and evaluate the function of all the veins in the legs, including the presence of any clots. No pain is involved and there is no risk.

There are multiple risk factors for vein disease and its complications. These include:

            *  Inherited Factors. The most significant cause of vein disease is family history. If one parent has had vein problems, the risk of developing vein disease is about 33%. If both parents have vein disease, the risk increases to greater than 90%.

            *  Hormonal Factors.  Circulating hormones that relax the smooth muscle of the vein wall can play a significant role in causing vein disorders. Women have high levels of progesterone, which increases the risk of developing venous disease. Pregnancies, hormone replacement therapy, and the use of female oral      contraceptives also increase the risk among women. This accounts for why approximately 75% of all patients with vein disease are women while only 25% are men.

Other causes of vein disease include:

• Advancing age
•  Being overweight
•  Prolonged standing
• Prolonged sitting with legs crossed
• Wearing tight undergarments or clothes
• A personal or family history of blood clots
• Injury to the veins
• Medical conditions that cause increased pressure in the abdomen including liver  disease, fluid in the abdomen, previous groin surgery, or heart failure.

If you think you are a candidate for vein treatment, call ProVas of Ogden today to schedule a consultation with a ProVas physician.  We accept most insurances.