What Causes Varicose Veins to Burst? Understanding the Risks and Prevention Tips

Are you struggling with varicose veins and worried about the possibility of them bursting? Varicose veins are dilated, bulging blood vessels that protrude out of the skin’s surface. Varicose veins are essentially blood vessels with excess blood accumulation, which causes the vein walls to dilate and bulge outwards. In some cases, varicose veins only cause mild leg pain, swelling, aching, and leg cramps.

But in most cases, varicose veins are caused by chronic venous insufficiency, a dangerous medical condition that causes blood to flow backward and accumulate in the leg veins. The continued accumulation of blood in leg veins is a chronic issue, so your varicose veins will continue worsening, if left untreated. Over time, once the vein walls are extremely dilated and weakened, they can even burst due to pressure or injuries.

So, what causes varicose veins to burst? And can you do anything about it?

New York Vein Treatment is a group of state-of-the-art medical centers for vein treatment in New York. Our board-certified vein doctors diagnose and treat the root cause of varicose veins, following which they remove the superficial varicose veins. Our offices are located in the Financial District and Midtown Manhattan, and we take all necessary measures to treat varicose veins. Schedule an appointment at the nearest medical center for vein treatment in New York.

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, and often painful veins that commonly appear in the legs and lower extremities. They occur when the one-way valves in your veins, which help blood flow upward towards the heart, become weakened or damaged. Healthy veins have valves that act like one-way doors — they allow blood to flow towards the heart but not backward. They essentially counter the effects of gravity.

But when these valves collapse of malfunction, gravity forces blood to flow backward and accumulate in the leg veins. This condition is known as chronic venous insufficiency, and it’s the root cause of most vein problems. Over time, the continued accumulation of blood in leg veins leads to the expansion of the vein walls. The vein walls dilate, leading to varicose veins. The best way to treat varicose veins is to identify and treat underlying vein disease as well.

One of the leading causes of varicose veins bursting is the elevated pressure within the affected veins. When the one-way valves in your veins fail to function correctly, blood flows backward and pools in the veins, increasing the pressure. Activities that involve prolonged standing or sitting can exacerbate this pressure, so it’s essential to maintain good circulation by moving and elevating your legs when possible.

Varicose veins are closer to the surface of the skin than healthy veins, making them more vulnerable to trauma or injury. Even minor accidents, bumps, or cuts to the affected area can damage the weakened vein walls and lead to a burst varicose vein. When varicose veins burst, you suffer from profuse and intense bleeding that doesn’t stop naturally. If your varicose veins burst, you have to be taken to an emergency room immediately.

Blood clots, also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), can develop in varicose veins. The continued accumulation of blood in leg veins increases the risk of blood clot formation. This is an incredibly painful and dangerous condition. If the blood clots get dislodged, they can get carried into the lungs, leading to a potentially fatal condition known as pulmonary embolism. As such, while varicose veins are generally viewed as harmless, they can lead to problems that can be fatal in extreme cases.

Neglecting to seek treatment for varicose veins can lead to the progression of the condition and an increased risk of vein rupture. Untreated varicose veins often worsen over time, causing further damage to the vein walls and increasing the likelihood of complications. This is why it’s crucial to consult with a vein specialist at New York Vein Treatment for a personalized treatment plan as soon as you notice varicose veins developing.

New York Vein Treatment is a state-of-the-art medical center dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain optimal vascular health. Our board-certified vein doctors carefully examine your leg veins, discuss your symptoms, and curate personalized minimally invasive vein treatment plans to help you achieve and maintain healthy leg veins. You can find our medical centers for vein treatment in Midtown Manhattan and FiDi. Please schedule an appointment at your nearest medical center for vein treatment in New York today.