What are the Consequences of Untreated Varicose Veins?

If you have varicose veins, you may have been told they are nothing to worry about. And while that is sometimes true, it is not always the full picture. Varicose veins are often a visible sign of an underlying condition called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), also known as vein disease. When the tiny valves inside your leg veins stop working properly, blood pools in the lower legs instead of flowing back up to your heart. Over time, that pressure buildup can cause more than just cosmetic concerns.

According to the American Heart Association's journal Circulation, about 23 percent of adults in the United States have varicose veins. When spider veins and other forms of venous disease are included, that number rises to 80 percent of men and 85 percent of women. 

The good news is that vein disease is treatable, especially when it is caught early.

Untreated varicose veins do not stay the same over time. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that CVI is a progressive condition, meaning it tends to worsen without treatment. The longer vein problems go untreated, the greater the risk of serious complications.

We consulted Cody Laverdiere, DO, lead physician at Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) vein clinic in Bend, Oregon. 

📅To schedule an appointment with Dr. Laverdiere, CLICK HERE
📅To schedule an appointment at any of CVR’s other vein centers nationwide, CLICK HERE
📞 Need assistance? Our Patient Services Representatives can help! Call 240-249-8250

Could Your Leg Symptoms Be Related to Vein Disease?

Leg pain, swelling, heaviness, and visible veins are all signs that your circulation may not be functioning properly. Vein disease is more common than most people realize, and many patients are surprised to learn their symptoms have a treatable cause. Find out if an underlying vein problem may cause your symptoms.

✏️Take CVR’s Free Vein Quiz HERE 

The Consequences of Untreated Varicose Veins

Below are the most common and serious complications that can develop when vein disease and symptoms such as leg pain or swelling, itchy, heavy-feeling legs, or varicose or spider veins go untreated.

1. Worsening Leg Pain and Discomfort
Varicose veins often start with mild aching, heaviness, or a burning sensation in the legs. According to the Mayo Clinic, these symptoms can escalate into throbbing, muscle cramping, and significant swelling, especially after prolonged periods of sitting or standing. For many people, leg pain that was once manageable becomes a daily obstacle that interferes with work, exercise, and sleep.

2. Leg Swelling That Gets Harder to Ignore
Blood pooling in the lower legs creates pressure that pushes fluid into the surrounding tissue, causing swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet. Cleveland Clinic notes that this swelling is a hallmark symptom of CVI and becomes worse as the condition progresses. It can make walking uncomfortable, affect shoe fit, and significantly toll on quality of life.

3. Skin Changes and Discoloration
As venous pressure builds, it can begin to damage the skin. The progression often starts with dark spots or itchy, scaly skin above the ankle and potentially advances to hardened, discolored skin. The skin may also become dry, inflamed, or develop a rash. Once these skin changes appear, they signal that vein disease has moved into a more advanced stage.

4. Spontaneous Bleeding
When veins become enlarged and stretch close to the skin's surface, even a small bump or scratch can cause them to bleed. In some cases, a varicose vein can rupture on its own, even with no apparent injury at all. This type of bleeding can be difficult to control and may require prompt medical attention.

5. Venous Leg Ulcers
Venous leg ulcers are open, slow-healing sores that typically develop on the lower leg or ankle. They are one of the most serious and difficult-to-treat consequences of untreated vein disease. According to the NIH National Library of Medicine, venous leg ulcers are late-stage indicators of chronic venous insufficiency and venous hypertension.

A review published in AHA Circulation estimates that venous ulcerations result in the loss of 2 million workdays and cost approximately $3 billion per year to treat in the United States alone. Cleveland Clinic warns that venous stasis ulcers do not heal easily and are prone to infection. 

If you suspect that the sore on your ankle may be related to your veins, CVR can help.

6. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism
One of the most dangerous complications of untreated vein disease is the development of a blood clot in the deep veins of the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Research published in NIH StatPearls found that people with varicose veins had a DVT rate of 6.6 per 1,000 person-years, compared to just 1.2 per 1,000 person-years in people without varicose veins. DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE), the potentially fatal condition that occurs when a clot travels to the lungs, affect an estimated 900,000 Americans each year, resulting in hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and deaths.

CVR is proud to offer a DVT rule-out service for same-day or next-day diagnosis and treatment plans as part of our comprehensive vein care approach. Call our hotline number at 877-SCAN-DVT (877-722-6388).

Vein Symptoms Getting Worse? Don't Wait.

CVR's board-certified vein specialists use minimally invasive, in-office procedures to treat varicose veins, spider veins, leg pain, swelling, and more. Most treatments take an hour or less with little to no downtime.

👉 Book your consultation with a CVR vein specialist today and discover how simple relief can be.

What You Can Do Right Now to Prevent Leg Vein Symptoms

While professional treatment is the only way to address the underlying cause of vein disease, certain lifestyle habits can help slow its progression and ease discomfort:

• Exercise regularly. Walking improves circulation and helps move blood out of the lower legs. Aim for 30 minutes of low-impact activity most days of the week.
• Elevate your legs. Raising your legs above heart level for a few minutes each day helps reduce blood pooling and swelling.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight increases pressure on leg veins and speeds the progression of venous insufficiency.
• Wear compression stockings. Cleveland Clinic supports compression therapy as a standard approach to managing venous insufficiency. Compression stockings help push blood back toward the heart, reducing swelling and discomfort associated with varicose veins and spider veins.

When to See a Vein Doctor

Self-care steps can help, but they are not a substitute for professional vein treatment. If you are experiencing any of the following, it is time to speak with a vein specialist:

• Leg pain, heaviness, or aching that does not improve with rest or elevation
• Visible varicose veins or spider veins that are new or growing
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet that is getting worse
• Skin changes such as darkening, thickening, or scaling near the ankles
• A sore or wound on the lower leg that is slow to heal

Expert Vein Care Is Closer Than You Think

Center for Vein Restoration is the nation's largest physician-led vein center, with over 130 locations nationwide. CVR's board-certified vein doctors diagnose and treat the full spectrum of vein conditions, from varicose and spider veins to venous ulcers and DVT, using the most advanced minimally invasive techniques available.

Most vein treatments take about an hour, are performed in a comfortable outpatient setting, and are covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid if deemed medically necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can varicose veins go away on their own?
   No. Once a vein becomes varicosed, it will not return to normal on its own. Lifestyle changes like exercise, compression, and leg elevation can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of vein disease. However, they cannot repair the damaged valves that cause varicose veins. Professional vein treatment is the only way to close or remove the damaged veins.
2. Are varicose veins dangerous if left untreated?
   They can be. While many people with varicose veins experience only mild discomfort for years, vein disease is a progressive condition. Over time, untreated varicose veins can lead to serious complications, including venous leg ulcers, spontaneous bleeding, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This blood clot can travel to the lungs, becoming life-threatening. The earlier vein problems are addressed, the better the outcome.
3. What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins?
   Both varicose veins and spider veins are forms of chronic venous disease. Varicose veins are larger, raised, and often visible as twisted, rope-like bulges under the skin. Spider veins are smaller, flat, and appear as red or purple web-like patterns on the surface. Both can be symptoms of underlying venous insufficiency. CVR treats both conditions. Learn more about the conditions we treat at CVR.
4. How do I know if I need vein treatment?
   If your leg symptoms are interfering with your daily life, or if you are noticing skin changes, worsening swelling, or new vein problems, it is a good idea to get evaluated. A vein specialist can use duplex ultrasound, a painless imaging test, to assess blood flow and determine whether your veins are functioning properly. Not sure where to start? Take CVR's Vein Quiz or find a CVR location near you.
5. Does insurance cover varicose vein treatment?
   In many cases, yes. When varicose veins cause medical symptoms such as leg pain, swelling, or skin changes, treatment is often covered by insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid. CVR accepts most major insurance plans. Contact your nearest CVR location to confirm your coverage before your appointment.