One in three Americans over the age of 45 has some type of vein disease, ranging from varicose veins to more serious problems like deep vein thrombosis. As a cardiovascular specialist, Dr. Shahrzad Shareghi at the Cardiovascular Care Center has extensive experience in many vein treatments designed to solve your vein problem and keep you in optimal health. If you need treatment for any type of vein condition, call one of the offices in Simi Valley, California, or book an appointment online.
Muscle contractions push blood up the veins in your legs, while valves inside the veins open to let blood flow up, then close to stop it from going back down. When the muscles and valves — especially the valves — weaken or don’t work properly due to damage, blood flows backward. As blood accumulates, it causes enlarged and twisted varicose veins.
Some people don’t develop symptoms, while others experience:
Over time, varicose veins may cause other complications such as skin ulcers, deep and superficial blood clots, cellulitis, and chronic venous insufficiency.
Vein ablation is a treatment to eliminate varicose veins. During the procedure, Dr. Shareghi threads a thin catheter into the varicose vein. The tip of the catheter uses laser or radiofrequency energy to heat the vein walls, which breaks down the tissue. As your body absorbs the destroyed tissue, the vein fades away.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot develops in a vein deep in your body. Although DVTs can appear throughout your body, they frequently occur in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis.
DVTs lead to complications such as chronic venous insufficiency in your legs. A DVT can turn life-threatening if the clot breaks loose, travels through your bloodstream, and blocks blood vessels in your lungs.
You can have a blood clot without symptoms, but when symptoms develop, you may have swelling, pain, red skin, or a feeling of warmth in the affected leg.
The first line of treatment for DVT consists of blood-thinning medication and compression stockings. Dr. Shareghi may need to place a filter inside the inferior vena cava (IVC), the major vein carrying blood back to your heart. The IVC filter is a wire device that catches clots, preventing them from entering your lungs.
If your blood clot is large or damaging tissues, Dr. Shareghi may recommend a thrombectomy, or surgical removal of the clot. After removing the clot, Dr. Shareghi may insert and inflate a balloon to open the blood vessel, then put a stent in place to hold the vessel open.
You’ll receive expert vein treatments customized to take care of your unique problem at Cardiovascular Care Center, so call or book an appointment online.
