Varicose veins — unsightly bulging veins in the legs — force many embarrassed sufferers to cover up, even on the hottest summer days. While often dismissed as a cosmetic issue, varicose veins actually can develop into serious health problems. According to a new survey, many who suffer from varicose veins aren’t aware of this and are not seeking treatment for their condition. The survey, sponsored by Vein Clinics of America, found that one in five people reported having varicose veins, and half (48 percent) also experienced aching pain in the legs. Surprisingly, most people (87 percent) reported they have never sought treatment and nearly half (42 percent) do not consider varicose veins to be a serious health issue.
“Many people don’t make the connection between varicose veins and leg discomfort, when in fact, varicose veins may be the outward symptom of an underlying problem that could potentially lead to serious health complications,” said Ted King, M.D., Medical Director of the Vein Clinics of America network. “Severe varicose veins put people at risk for a number of conditions, from leg ulcers, bleeding, and phlebitis to blood clots which can be life-threatening, thus treatment can be critical.”
Varicose veins, or twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin, are most commonly seen in the legs and ankles. Varicose veins occur when veins have trouble carrying blood from the legs back to the heart due to faulty valves and weakened vein walls. Many people with varicose veins also experience pain, swelling, numbness, and fatigue in the legs. Varicose veins and related leg symptoms can have an impact on daily life, especially for people with occupations requiring long periods of standing or walking.
“Varicose veins and leg pain are thought to be a normal part of aging, but people shouldn’t have a compromised lifestyle because of it,” said Dr. King. “Today there are safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment options with short recovery time that won’t keep people sidelined from their daily
routine.”
Newer treatments that are less invasive and have largely replaced traditional surgical treatments include:
— COMPASS(SM) protocol of Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy: An advanced form of sclerotherapy, where a foam solution is directly injected into the varicose vein, causing it to close off. The physician visually monitors the vein and injection on an ultrasound screen, allowing considerable control over the area of the venous system being treated. This procedure is used primarily to treat larger varicose veins. A typical treatment takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes and will consist of multiple injections.
— Endovenous Laser Treatment (ELT): A minimally invasive procedure that uses heat from a guided laser to close varicose veins. A small optic fiber is inserted through a needle into the varicose vein under ultrasound guidance. The laser is then activated and as the optic fiber is removed from the vein it heats and closes the vein. This procedure does not require hospitalization or complicated surgery and typically takes less than an hour.

Survey: Plagues of the Legs
Following are highlights of the survey findings:

— One in five Americans (20 percent) report that they have varicose veins.
— Nearly all those surveyed with varicose veins (87 percent) report that they have never sought treatment for their varicose veins.
— Nearly half of those who have varicose veins (42 percent) reported that varicose veins may be unpleasant but they don’t have real health risks.
— Women were significantly more likely to report that they have varicose veins than men (27 percent vs. 10 percent).
— Nearly half of those with varicose veins were ages 35 and older (46 percent).
The national StrategyOne Omnibus surveyed 1,006 people 18 and older. The purpose of the survey was to determine the prevalence of varicose veins and related leg pain/discomfort, measure awareness about the severity of varicose
veins, and determine how many seek treatment. Interviews were conducted via telephone from June 13-16, 2008 using the field services of Opinion Research Corporation (ORC), which uses methodology including random digit dialing and computer-assisted telephone interviewing.

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