Well I finally think it’s official — varicose veins are a risk factor for deep vein thrombosis. This something your GP and most vascular specialists do not know.
The first significant paper in the medical literature that we had on the subject came in 2000. It was a population based study from Minnesota and it was over a 15 year period and it identified that varicose veins were indeed a significant factor in the development of deep vein thrombosis — in that people with varicose veins had a higher incidence. Last year another paper came out from Germany and it looked at 83,000 people over a three-year period and it found that people with varicose veins were approximately 9 times more likely to develop a deep vein thrombosis compared with other people. Yet another study from Texas last year showed that people undergoing total hip replacement were at an increased of deep vein thrombosis if they had varicose veins compared with those who did not. And also quite significantly they found that people who had had treatment for their varicose veins and who were undergoing a total hip replacement had the same risk of deep vein thrombosis as people who did not have varicose veins.
So I think these significant papers in the medical literature now dispel any doubt that varicose veins are indeed a risk factor for deep vein thrombosis.
Contact me today for a confidential chat
If you’re worried about your veins and would like a confidential chat please do get in touch. I am happy to offer simple advice by telephone or email for free and without obligation.
The VeinCare Centre also offers a screening assessment with our vascular technologist. For £25 you can have a scan with Wendy Parsons. She is not a doctor and so she could not give you medical advice but she can check your deep veins and your varicose veins and give you an idea of how bad they are and what treatment options might be available. If you would like to have an appointment with Wendy please call 0800 698 3467.
References:
-1) -1) Heit JA, Silverstein MD, Mohr DN, et al. Risk factors for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: a population-based case-control study. Arch Intern Med. 2000 Mar 27;160(6):809–15.
-2) U Muller-Buhl et al. Varicose veins are a risk factor for deep vein thrombosis in general practice patients.
Vasa 2012;41: 360-5
-3) Dua A, Neiva S, Sutherland A. Does previous varicose vein surgery alter deep vein thrombosis risk after lower limb arthroplasty? Orthop Surg. 2012 Nov;4(4):222-6