You or someone you know likely has varicose veins. According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, approximately 40 million people in the United States are affected by varicose veins. These twisty, swollen, and often painful veins appear on the legs like bulging blue roadmaps. They don’t look attractive, but can they be dangerous? Even worse, can they kill you?
The short answer? Not likely. But like a leaky pipe in your house, if ignored for too long, they can cause more significant problems such as rashes, skin changes, blood clots, and slow-healing sores. Fortunately, vein treatment can help improve your quality of life.
A large, nationwide cohort study from Taiwan investigated the relationship between varicose vein severity and long-term health outcomes, including mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). A cohort study is a type of research that tracks a group of people over a specified period to examine how specific factors or experiences may impact their health.
The study titled “Severe varicose veins and the risk of mortality: a nationwide population- based cohort study,” found that people with varicose veins — especially severe ones — are more likely to die or have serious heart and blood vessel problems than people without them.
Those with the most severe varicose veins had a much higher risk of heart failure, stroke, and blood clots. The risk was even greater for men and people over 65. Although varicose veins are often perceived as a cosmetic issue, this study reveals that they can be a sign of more serious health concerns and should not be overlooked.
Don’t ignore the signs!
Trust the most experienced name in vein care to provide the answers and solutions you need to live healthier, longer. At Center for Vein Restoration (CVR), we don’t just treat the surface—we look deeper to assess your full vein health. As the nation’s largest physician-led vein center, with 110+ vein clinics across America, there’s sure to be a CVR vein clinic near you.
Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR near you today.
This major international study revealed that varicose veins can be more than just unsightly—they may signal a higher risk of life-threatening cardiovascular events. At Center for Vein Restoration, we don’t just treat the surface—we look deeper to assess your full vein health. Don’t ignore the signs! Trust the most experienced name in vein care to provide the answers and solutions you need to live healthier, longer.
Let’s break it down in simple terms and talk about when it’s time to call a vein doctor—before something serious happens.
Think of your veins as highways carrying blood back to your heart. Along the way, tiny valves act like one-way doors, keeping traffic (i.e., your blood) moving in the right direction. If those valves break down or weaken—kind of like a faulty gate—the blood starts to back up.
That backup causes pressure. And that pressure causes veins to swell, twist, and rise to the surface—creating what we call varicose veins.
It’s not just a cosmetic issue. This is a sign of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition where your veins aren’t doing their job properly. According to Cleveland Clinic, CVI affects millions of people and can lead to leg pain, swelling, and even skin ulcers if left untreated.
You may be walking around with a silent threat.
Varicose veins could be more than skin-deep—they may be signaling dangerous circulation problems. Don’t ignore what your body is trying to tell you. Contact Center for Vein Restoration today to schedule your evaluation and get expert vein care from the most trusted name in vein treatment.
There’s no single villain here. It’s usually a mix of things that wear down your veins over time, like:
You might feel fine now, but ignoring varicose veins is like neglecting a pothole in your driveway. It won’t fix itself. And it might turn into something worse.
Here are a few serious health issues that can happen, according to the National Library of Medicine:
1. Blood Clots
When blood pools in sluggish veins, it’s like water sitting in a still pond—eventually, it can clot. If a clot forms in a deep vein (called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT), it can travel to your lungs and block blood flow. That’s a pulmonary embolism, and yes, that can be life-threatening.
2. Bleeding
Because varicose veins are so close to the skin’s surface, even a small bump—like knocking your shin on the coffee table—can lead to severe bleeding.
3. Leg Ulcers
Over time, untreated varicose veins can lead to skin breakdown. Think of it like a garden hose that leaks water into the soil—eventually, it damages the ground. In this case, that means painful open wounds on your legs that don’t heal quickly.
So, while varicose veins don’t usually kill you, they’re not something to shrug off, either.
Varicose veins can be a warning sign of a more serious underlying condition.
If you or a loved one has varicose veins, don’t wait to find out what’s going on beneath the surface. Visit Center for Vein Restoration today to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified vein experts—and gain peace of mind backed by the nation’s most trusted vein care team.
How do you know it’s time to stop Googling and actually have an evaluation with a board-certified vein doctor?
Look for signs such as:
If any of these sounds familiar, it’s time to stop searching for vein care near me and make an appointment with Center for Vein Restoration:
Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR near you today.
CVR accepts a wide range of insurance providers, including Aetna, Amerigroup, Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, MultiPlan, Medicaid, Medicare, and others.
The thought of vein treatment might sound scary, but today’s outpatient procedures at Center for Vein Restoration are fast, safe, and don’t require a hospital stay.
Here are a few of the office-based vein treatments a qualified vein expert might recommend:
These outpatient vein treatments are often done in under an hour. Many people go back to work the same day. It’s like getting your tires rotated—quick maintenance that helps you keep moving.
You wouldn’t call a general handyperson to fix a burst pipe—you’d want a plumber. In the same way, you want someone who specializes in veins to treat varicose vein pain, swelling, and other symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency.
A vein expert doesn’t just treat what’s on the surface—they look deeper to fix the root cause. At Center for Vein Restoration, our doctors are leaders in the field, offering top vein care backed by the latest science and technology.
Book an appointment today with the nation’s trusted vein experts at CVR and take the first step toward healthier legs.
1. So, Can Varicose Veins Kill You?
Varicose veins themselves aren’t deadly. But ignoring them can lead to serious complications, some of which can reduce your quality of life or be life-threatening if left untreated. The good news? You don’t have to wait until it gets that bad. If your legs are talking to you—feeling heavy, sore, or swollen—listen.
2. What are the warning signs that varicose veins need medical attention?
If you experience leg pain, heaviness, swelling, dry or itchy skin, or sores that won’t heal, it’s time to see a vein specialist. Sudden leg warmth or pain may also indicate a clot and require urgent medical attention.
3. What causes varicose veins to become worse over time?
Factors such as age, genetics, pregnancy, hormonal changes, obesity, and prolonged periods of standing or sitting can all contribute to the worsening of varicose veins. Without treatment, they can progress and lead to more serious health concerns.
4. What treatments are available for varicose veins?
At Center for Vein Restoration, modern treatments include sclerotherapy, laser therapy, radiofrequency ablation, and microphlebectomy, also known as ambulatory phlebectomy — a minimally invasive procedure performed in under an hour with minimal downtime.
The only way to know what treatment is right for you is to have a vein health evaluation. Center for Vein Restoration is your trusted expert.