Worried your leg heaviness, swelling, or visible veins mean something more? Adam Hicks, MD, Board-certified vascular surgeon with Franciscan Health, and Cassie Himes, NP, Board-certified Nurse Practitioner, explain when to seek evaluation for venous disease. They describe common symptoms (aching, swelling, end-of-day heaviness), risk factors like pregnancy and prolonged standing, how office ultrasound identifies reflux, and when lifestyle measures or procedural treatment may be recommended.
00:00 Introductions
00:34 What does venous disease mean?
01:03 How venous return works and what happens when valves fail
01:09 Symptoms of venous disease
01:21 Varicose veins as a sign of a deeper issue
01:32 How does venous return happen and progression with age and standing
01:44 Who is at highest risk for venous disease?
01:47 Women are at higher risk for venous disease
01:54 Pregnancy and other risk factors for venous disease
02:03 The impact on women vs men
02:08 What are varicose veins and how do they relate to venous disease?
02:12 Do varicose veins hurt?
02:24 Are varicose veins painful and what does that mean for deeper issues?
02:49 Not all varicose veins are painful; they can signal deeper problems
03:33 Signs of venous disease and what women might miss
03:44 Spider veins as possible signs of deeper venous disease
04:31 Hormones and pregnancy link to venous disease
04:34 Pregnancy increases vein bulging and laxity
04:56 Hormones make veins more lax
05:16 Prevention: compression stockings and lifestyle
05:25 Lifestyle vs vein treatments: two treatment buckets
05:31 Lifestyle modifications for venous disease
05:34 Vein treatment options: closing, heating, glue, foam, removal
06:11 Vein treatment modalities: heating, glue, foam, removal
06:30 Direct vein removal in the operating room
06:42 What to expect at the vein clinic
06:47 Vein clinic visit: history, ultrasound imaging
07:31 Ultrasound imaging to identify refluxing veins
07:50 Superficial and deep venous systems
07:56 Ultrasound as cornerstone of vein imaging
08:08 The vein clinic focuses on patient care
08:32 Cosmetic vs underlying vascular disease: addressing both
08:46 The vein clinic can help everyone
08:56 Learn more at Franciscan Health
09:00 Share and explore the podcast library
09:05 Wrap-up
