Expert Varicose Vein & DVT Treatment

Venous problems can cause discomfort and swelling in your legs. Treatment of venous problems can reduce your risk of serious complications, and ease painful symptoms. 

Three of the most common venous problems are: 

  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) a blood clot in a leg vein
  • Chronic venous insufficiency, valves in your veins don’t work properly
  • Varicose veins enlarged, dilated veins that are overfilled with blood

Venous problems can be serious, even life-threatening, conditions. For example, a DVT can break free and cause a pulmonary embolism — a potentially fatal problem if not treated. 

Concerned about venous disease? Find a Doctor at a Dignity Health hospital who can answer your questions about varicose vein treatment and more in the Bay Area. 

Available Treatments for Venous Problems at Dignity Health

The severity of your condition will guide your doctor’s care recommendations. DVT treatment is often an urgent need, as the condition can cause serious complications. 

Available treatments of DVT include medications taken by mouth or given by IV (intravenously) to dissolve the clot, as well as surgery to insert a special mesh filter to catch blood clots.

Some common treatments for chronic venous insufficiency are: 

  • Lifestyle changes, including weight loss and increased physical activity
  • Compression stockings 
  • Avoiding sitting or standing for prolonged periods
  • Minimally invasive procedures to seal or remove damaged veins
  • Surgery to insert stents to hold major veins open and improve blood flow

Treatment for varicose veins typically involves reducing their appearance. Some of the recommended varicose vein treatments are: 

  • Lifestyle changes
  • Phlebectomy, surgery to remove varicose veins near the skin’s surface
  • Laser procedures to lighten the appearance of veins
  • Sclerotherapy, a minimally invasive procedure to seal varicose veins 

If your condition is not life threatening, your Dignity Health doctor will create an individualized treatment plan that takes into account your overall health, personal preferences, and the severity of the problem. 

How to Prevent Venous Problems

Long-term smoking, lack of physical exercise, and a poor diet are some of the risk factors for venous problems. Some venous problems can occur in otherwise healthy people who do not have any known risk factors. Still, you can reduce your risk of developing venous problems and complications with the following lifestyle choices: 

  • Don’t smoke (smoking damages blood vessels).
  • Get plenty of physical activity.
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet.
  • Avoid prolonged periods of sitting or standing.

Dignity Health is committed to treating the whole person, not just the condition. Learn more about our trusted cardiovascular treatments offered at Dignity Health Bay Area hospitals.

Dignity Health offers patients many services, including the diagnosis and treatment of venous problems in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Redwood City.