Varicose veins are one manifestation of a medical condition called chronic venous hypertension (CVH).  CVH may also lead to pain and swelling of the legs, leg ulcers and even blood clots.  If you have CVH (which will be determined by a simple in-office ultrasound test), you may experience leg pain and swelling and you are at risk of developing leg ulcers and blood clots.  Therefore, CVH should be treated so these complications do not develop. Untreated, CVH can lead to damage to the deep venous system as well, so to prevent damage extending to other veins, this condition should be treated promptly.

 

Spider veins may or may not be associated with CVH.  Widespread spider veins should also be evaluated with duplex ultrasound examination. Treatment of the underlying CVH may decrease the number of spider veins or at least stop the development of new spider veins.  Spider veins that are painful, usually are associated with underlying CVH.

 

If you have any of these conditions, evaluation with duplex ultrasound can provide valuable information that your physician will be able to use to assess your risk of other medical problems developing in the future.