If you’ve been thinking about getting your varicose veins treated but worry you’re too old for an effective surgery and a safe recovery, those fears are likely unfounded. While it’s true that recovering from any surgical procedure becomes more difficult with age, varicose vein treatment is so minimally invasive that it’s actually quite difficult to age out of it.
Why Older Patients Should Consider Varicose Vein Treatment
Varicose veins occur when the valves in your veins weaken and are less able to regulate blood flow. As a result, the blood pools wherever gravity takes it — typically in your leg veins — instead of flowing up to your heart. Over time, the pooled blood makes the veins expand and bulge, often leading to pain and swelling as well as other vein issues. Around 30% of adults experience the condition, and most of those adults are over the age of 60.
Luckily, varicose veins can be treated with several minimally invasive treatment options. Sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation, and microphlebectomy are three procedures with limited recovery time that are great options for older patients. There are also non-invasive symptom management options, like compression socks, that can help alleviate symptoms.
Why You Should Consider Treatment — At Any Age
Given that varicose vein treatment has positive health effects beyond aesthetics, it’s wise to consider it no matter your age. Some of the symptoms of varicose veins that treatment can mitigate include:
- Discomfort. Many patients over the age of 60 who have varicose veins have reported other leg symptoms associated with the condition. These include burning, throbbing, heaviness, or pain in their legs.
- Swelling. Varicose veins can lead to general leg swelling that might even make it more difficult for you to get out of the house.
- Limiting your physical activity. If your veins are getting in the way of your regular active lifestyle, treatment can help you get back to the activities you enjoy.
- Blood clots. The slower blood flow that accompanies varicose veins increases your chances of developing a blood clot.
- Leg ulcers. Treating your varicose veins can help prevent the development of leg ulcers.
- Skin infections. The swelling that accompanies varicose veins can lead to serious skin infections. By treating your veins and decreasing the swelling, you can better prevent these infections.
Varicose Vein Treatment for Older Patients
When it comes to varicose vein treatment, there’s no such thing as being too old to get help. Just make sure that you never make a final decision without first consulting a vein health professional. At Vein and Vascular Institute, our medical professionals are here to help you understand your treatment options so that you can make the best decision for you.