Leg vein blockages, or clots, are a result of some vascular health conditions and can be problematic if left untreated. Blockages occur when blood moves too slowly through the veins, which then causes blood to clot, as well as inflammation in the veins. In this blog, we will discuss what causes leg vein blockages, the symptoms they cause, and where you can go in the Tampa Bay area to get treatment for leg vein blockages.
Causes of Leg Vein Blockages
As mentioned above, leg vein blockages occur when blood moves too slowly through the veins and begins to clot. While your heart is responsible for pumping and moving blood throughout your body, it can only do so much when you are sitting or not moving for long periods of time. Clots tend to form in the legs more than anywhere else because veins in the legs are farthest from the heart, meaning they experience only the slightest push from the heart and cannot pump blood very quickly. This makes it easy for blood to pool in these veins when we don’t move for long periods of time, causing clots to form.
How long is too long when sitting? Sitting for more than three hours at time, especially in a car, train, or plane, can cause blood to pool and clot. Other times when you may not move enough include if you are bedridden due to an illness or surgery, or if you tend to sit and not do enough physical activities throughout the day.
Some medical conditions can also disturb blood flow, causing clots to form. People with varicose veins are at a higher risk for clot formation, because varicose veins do not work properly to prevent blood from backflowing and collecting in one place. Another condition, deep vein thrombosis, is when blood clots form in deep veins, far from the heart. If you are older in age, smoke, are obese, or have a heart condition, you are at a higher risk of developing leg vein blockages.
Complications of Leg Vein Blockages
Leg vein blockages can become a problem very quickly if the clots break away from the vein wall and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. Although it is rare, if the clot gets lodged in the blood vessels of the lungs, it can block oxygen flow to the rest of the body. This is known as pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition that kills more people each year in the U.S. than breast cancer.
Vein Blockage Treatment, Tampa, FL
If you are concerned about leg vein blockages and do not have a vascular condition, the most important thing you can do is to avoid being immobile for long periods of time by taking stretching breaks, walking breaks, and exercising consistently.
If you do have a vascular condition like varicose veins, it is important to get it treated to decrease your risk of clot formation and pulmonary embolism.
At Edward G. Mackay and Associates, we treat patients with vein blockages using laser therapy, sclerotherapy, vein ablation, and more. We pride ourselves on our nonsurgical treatments for varicose veins and vein blockages.
To schedule an appointment, call us at (727) 349-5652, or request an appointment online. We look forward to treating you and improving your health!
