Varicose veins are a common vascular issue, often appearing in the legs as visibly swollen and twisted veins. Many people wonder if treating these veins offers more than a cosmetic fix, and if removal can improve underlying blood flow. Understanding the function of leg veins and the effect of the disease clarifies the functional benefit of treatment. Varicose veins signify an underlying problem with blood return, making this concern about circulatory health valid.
How Varicose Veins Impede Blood Flow
The development of varicose veins is rooted in venous insufficiency, a problem with the physiological mechanism of blood return. Healthy veins contain tiny, one-way valves designed to prevent blood from flowing backward down the leg due to gravity. These valves, combined with the action of surrounding leg muscles, help push deoxygenated blood back toward the heart.
Varicose veins develop when these valves become weak or damaged, allowing blood to leak backward, a process known as venous reflux. This backward flow causes blood to pool in the lower section of the vein, leading to increased pressure within the vessel. The sustained high pressure stretches the vein wall, causing the characteristic bulging and twisted appearance. The affected vein is dysfunctional and acts as a reservoir of pooled blood, impeding efficient circulation.
The Improvement in Circulation After Removal
Yes, removing or shutting down a varicose vein significantly improves overall circulation in the affected limb. The varicose vein is already damaged and no longer contributes effectively to blood return. In fact, it creates a circulatory burden by holding blood and increasing pressure in the surrounding tissues.
The body’s circulatory system relies on the vast network of deep veins, which manage over 90% of the blood return from the legs. When a dysfunctional superficial vein is treated, the blood previously flowing through it is immediately rerouted to this healthy, high-capacity deep vein system. This redirection removes the source of congestion and high pressure, known as venous hypertension. The reduction in pressure allows for improved flow dynamics, often lessening uncomfortable symptoms like leg aching, heaviness, and swelling.
Procedures Used to Treat Varicose Veins
Modern treatment for varicose veins focuses on minimally invasive techniques designed to shut down the problematic vein rather than physically extracting it. Endovenous thermal ablation procedures, such as Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) or Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), use heat energy delivered via a small catheter to collapse and seal the vein from the inside. This effectively stops blood flow through the damaged vessel.
Another common method is Sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a chemical solution directly into the vein. This solution irritates the lining of the vessel, causing it to close and eventually scar shut. The goal of these treatments is to permanently occlude the vein, forcing the blood to reroute. The treated vein is then gradually absorbed by the body, eliminating the source of the circulatory problem.
Risks of Leaving Varicose Veins Untreated
Ignoring varicose veins means leaving the underlying circulatory problem of venous insufficiency unaddressed, which leads to progressive complications. The sustained high pressure can cause chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), resulting in skin changes over time. These changes include hyperpigmentation (skin darkening) and lipodermatosclerosis (a thickening or hardening of the skin and underlying fat).
The most serious non-cosmetic complication is the development of venous ulcers, which are slow-healing open sores typically appearing near the ankles. Untreated varicose veins also increase the risk of superficial thrombophlebitis (inflammation and clotting of the vein close to the skin’s surface). In rare cases, this clotting can extend into the deep vein system, increasing the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).