Do you have twisted, puffy, discolored veins on your legs or feet? You’re not alone — almost 25% of American adults have varicose veins — but you don’t have to live with them.
Varicose veins are one of the most common vascular conditions, and they form when the valves inside veins malfunction and become less efficient at sending blood back to your heart. Blood gets trapped in your veins and pools, creating raised, enlarged veins that are visible under the surface of your skin.
These veins can be embarrassing, but they can also cause painful symptoms. If you’re bothered by varicose veins, schedule a vein assessment with Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. We offer ultrasound for diagnostic imaging as well as personalized treatment for people with varicose veins.
Preparing for your varicose vein assessment
Your varicose vein appointment starts with an exam. We look at your legs while you’re sitting or standing to locate visible varicose veins, and we talk with you about your symptoms.
For many people, varicose veins are primarily a cosmetic concern, but don’t hesitate to bring up any other symptoms you’re experiencing at your appointment.
Along with visible, unsightly veins, other possible symptoms include:
Feeling of heaviness in legs
Aching sensation in legs
Swelling
Burning or cramping pain
Pain with long periods of sitting
Pain with extended periods of standing
Itching near a vein
Skin discoloration around a vein
We review your symptoms and your medical history to determine the extent of your condition. Depending on the severity of your varicose veins and other symptoms, we might recommend additional diagnostic testing with ultrasound.
Getting an ultrasound for varicose veins
Ultrasound testing helps us confirm your varicose vein diagnosis and rule out other vascular disorders. Sometimes, symptoms like leg pain and heaviness are due to other vascular conditions, like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and ultrasound allows us to give you an accurate diagnosis.
A vascular ultrasound is a noninvasive test that utilizes high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of tissues inside your body. You don’t have to do anything to prepare for the test, and we perform it right in the office.
We apply a gel to your legs or feet, wherever the varicose veins are located. The technician gently guides the ultrasound device over your varicose veins, and the test shows how the valves in your veins are working.
If additional testing is needed, we may perform a Doppler ultrasound to see blood flowing through your veins. Duplex ultrasound combines both regular and Doppler ultrasound to give our team a comprehensive look at your vein health.
You don’t have to live with varicose veins. Find out more about your condition with a diagnostic ultrasound at NJ Cardiovascular Institute, and get a treatment plan that’s right for you. Contact us while you’re online, or call the nearest office — in Newark, Secaucus, or Paramus, New Jersey — for a consultation.
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