Strong, healthy veins are absolutely essential for an overall healthy life. So, with an eye towards building lifelong relationships with their patients, the team at Novant Health Vein Specialists in Winston-Salem works with complete professionalism and expertise to improve every patient’s quality of life. As a bonus, they are the only vein clinic in the area run entirely by vascular surgeons.

The board-certified providers at Novant Health Vein Specialists are known for customized, leading-edge care. Individualized treatments are available for the conditioning and rejuvenation you may need, whether you’ve been diagnosed with a vein condition or have more cosmetic-related concerns.

While it may not be a common topic of conversation, consider the important role our veins play in every waking moment of the day: They transport blood through the body and to the lungs and heart, where arteries then take over, and the cycle begins once again. Our circulatory system does this literally thousands of times a day, keeping our bodies healthy and strong. Yet, veins tend to harden with age. This can cause blood to pool and veins to become swollen and often painful. While the majority of patients with vein conditions inherit their troubles, a daily routine that includes excessive standing and sitting—or even pregnancy—can exacerbate the problem.

Have an Experienced Team at Your Side

Novant Health Vein Specialists has 10 experienced vascular providers who see patients daily. And, the team recently added Kristen Wright, PA.  Kristen is a certified Physician Assistant who’s passionate about helping people get back their quality of life. “It’s seeing the joy return to my patients when they are able to do the simple things again, like going for a walk with a loved one or playing with their grandchildren, that lets me know I’m making a difference and improving their everyday life.”

When asked, Kristen shares the most common conditions they see:

• Varicose veins: occur as the result of a breakdown of the Great Saphenous Vein, an internal vein on the inside of the thigh. This breakdown of the saphenous vein’s one-way valves causes leakage of blood in the wrong direction. Blood leaks from the thigh into the calf and pools inside the calf veins. This pooling of pressurized blood causes veins to stretch, bulge, and become varicose. If left untreated, varicose veins can be very painful, and lead to eczema, inflammation, ulceration of the lower leg, dangerous blood clots or large ulcers inside of the ankle.
• Venous insufficiency: occurs when the venous wall and/or valves in the leg veins are not working effectively, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) causes blood to “pool” or collect in these veins, and this pooling is called stasis. The result is a swollen and often painful bulging vein typically seen in the legs.
• Spider veins: Small red, purple and blue “thread-like” veins found on the surface of the skin.

And while these conditions are not typically life-threatening, they can adversely affect your overall circulatory system, and possibly lead to more serious conditions, such as ulcers, blood clots, stroke, and even death, if not detected and treated correctly.

Treatment Options are Available

The good news is, there are painless treatment options available, starting with an ultrasound evaluation of the lower extremities.

Novant Health Vein Specialists’ non-invasive vascular lab offers a full line of state-of-the-art imaging that makes your study results available within minutes for your provider to evaluate. If you are diagnosed with any of these conditions, there are treatment options that can eliminate the varicose veins. The provider uses sclerotherapy and endovenous laser treatment, both minimally invasive techniques that can be performed in the comfort of the clinic, and require no general anesthesia, no hospital stays, and no long recovery time.  

Sign Up for a Free Vein Consultation

This is a common condition and can be treated! That’s why Novant Health Vein Specialists offer free vein consultations in their Winston-Salem location twice a month. In 2022, appointments are available on February 1 and 17, March 1 and 17, April 5 and 21, May 3 and 19, June 7 and 23, July 12 and 21, August 2 and 18, September 13 and 22, October 4 and 20, November 1 and 17, and December 1 and 6.

You’ll find the family-oriented team personable and a pleasure to work with across the three Triad locations, in Winston-Salem, Kernersville, and High Point. For your convenience and to address COVID-19 concerns, many current appointments can be held via video—just ask.

For more information, visit salemveins.com, or call 336-776-3160.

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Tips for Improving Circulation

Exercise. Get your legs moving!

Weight control: Shedding extra pounds takes pressure off veins. 

Watch your wardrobe: Low-heeled shoes actually work calf muscles more, which is better for your veins. Avoid high heels, skip tight clothes around your calves or groin, and say no to any hosiery that restricts your circulation.

Elevate your legs: schedule three or four 10- to 15-minute breaks daily to elevate your legs above the level of your heart (this means lying down with your legs resting on three or four pillows). Avoid long periods of standing or sitting, especially with your legs crossed.