We might assume that things like leg pain or swelling are not severe and not even worth seeking medical attention. But, did you know they might indicate a vascular problem or heart disease for that matter? They may seem not severe but turn out to be deadly. Hence the reason you should seek medical assistance when you first experience the symptoms. Most importantly, it would be best to have a vein specialist in New York, NY, evaluate your symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about vein health.
What causes leg pain, swelling, and cramps?
Various health issues might lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as leg pain, cramping, and swelling. However, these symptoms are common with vein health-related issues, including:
· Varicose veins
· Vein thrombosis
· Peripheral artery disease
· Venous insufficiency
Can leg pain, cramps, and swelling indicate heart disease?
Besides being vein-related, leg swelling and pain can also signify a heart-related problem.
To be precise, the common heart problems that cause leg pain, cramps, and swelling include peripheral vein disease and peripheral artery disease. These two conditions cause narrowing of blood vessels, causing insufficient blood flow to your limbs.
The narrowing of blood vessels also occurs due to cholesterol accumulation in the blood vessels. The condition usually causes cramping or muscle weakness in your legs, especially when climbing stairs.
Though not obvious, leg pain, cramps, and swelling might indicate a more significant heart condition. Poor blood pumping by your heart could also cause fluids to gather in your feet and around your ankles.
Venous insufficiency, a condition that occurs due to valve malfunction, may also cause blood to flood in your feet and ankles, leading to swelling and discomfort.
Diagnosing leg cramps, pain, and swelling
As you have learned earlier, these symptoms may occur due to different conditions hence thorough diagnosing is appropriate. The team at Elite Veins, NY, conducts a comprehensive diagnosis, including a physical exam, evaluating your symptoms, and checking your medical history.
Your provider also discusses your symptoms and general health to better analyze your condition. The vein specialist also takes the pulse and blood pressure in every ankle to look for signs that may show a circulation problem or a clot. They also conduct blood tests, ultrasound, kidney function tests, cardiac stress tests, and EKG for further evaluation.
Treatment for leg pain, cramps, and swelling
Your treatment for these symptoms depends on the cause of your symptoms.
In less severe cases, your provider may recommend wearing compression socks to enhance proper blood flow to the heart. Besides, they also prescribe medications to prevent clot formation.
If your symptoms are from venous insufficiency or varicose veins, your provider uses sclerotherapy to close the damaged veins and enhance blood reroute to the nearest healthy veins.
When your symptoms come from blood vessel blocking, your provider performs angioplasty to create enough room for normal blood flow.
Leg pain, swelling, and cramping might indicate a bigger problem than you would imagine. It is significant to seek professional medical help when you first experience these symptoms. Usually, they can either suggest a vein problem or a heart health issue. Elite Veins, NY, team offers a comprehensive diagnosis for leg pain and swelling to identify the cause and provide effective treatments. Feel free to contact them today to schedule your consultation.
