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Varicose
Varicose veins are permanent enlargement, tortuosity and elongation of the veins. Varicose veins often appear under the skin of the legs as bluish-coloured, tortuous bulges of different diameters. Another form of varicose veins is capillary cracks or spider-shaped varicose veins.
Varicose veins can remain for years without causing any complaints other than appearance. However, over time, varicose veins can become painful. Swelling in the legs and chronic venous insufficiency may develop after a while. A blood clot may form in the varicose vein and in this case, known as thrombophlebitis, there is pain, swelling and redness in the leg.
Varicose veins are mostly seen in women. People with varicose veins in their family are even more likely to have varicose veins. Varicose veins are more common during pregnancy. Other risk factors are obesity, smoking, standing for a long time.
Symptoms
- Varicose veins are seen on the legs
- Pain and itching in the leg
- Burning in the leg
- Night cramps in the legs
- A constant feeling of discomfort in the legs
Causes of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins often develop as a result of a malfunction of the valves in the veins that allow blood to flow in one direction.
There are many veins in the human body just under the skin. The function of these veins is to transport dirty blood to the heart. For some reason, at any stage of life, these veins stretch, dilate and their function and appearance deteriorate.
Varicose veins are irreversible and abnormal enlargement of the veins. These veins appear as blue and twisted swellings under the skin on the feet and legs and complaints increase with standing and prolonged sitting.
Varicose veins can be seen in 15–20% of the male population and 30–35% of the female population at different stages of life.
As varicose veins progress, complaints of pain and pressure in the feet appear. Untreated end-stage varicose veins can lead to wounds on the ankles.
Many theories have been put forward in the formation of varicose veins, but the only common cause is that the valves in the veins are impaired or damaged. The valves in the veins ensure that the blood flows in the right direction in the vein, that is, towards the heart, and prevent it from escaping backwards. The reason why the valves lose their function has not been fully clarified. Some of the ideas on this subject are hereditary causes (if varicose veins run in the family) or an acquired weakness in the vessel walls.
Treatment
- Sclerotherapy: In this treatment method, the vascular surgeon injects a chemical substance into the varicose veins with the help of a very fine needle. This treatment causes the varicose veins to close and, after a while, to become a hardened connective tissue. This method is mostly used for varicose veins that occur as thin capillaries and has been shown to be extremely effective for this type of varicose veins.
Our heart surgery department offers coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacement, pacemaker implantation, minimally invasive heart surgery, and angioplasty procedures.
Heart surgery may be necessary to treat blocked arteries, valve diseases, heart rhythm disorders, or congenital heart defects. Your cardiologist will recommend surgery if non-surgical treatments are not sufficient.
Not always. Depending on the condition, minimally invasive heart surgery or catheter-based techniques like angioplasty may be suitable alternatives with faster recovery and lower risk.
As with any major surgery, heart procedures carry risks like infection, bleeding, or complications related to anesthesia. However, with experienced surgeons and modern facilities, the success rates are very high.
Recovery varies but typically takes 6–8 weeks for major surgeries like open-heart procedures. Minimally invasive procedures have shorter recovery periods. Our care team provides full support during rehabilitation.