Varicose veins pose serious thrombosis risks, doctors warn

Medical experts at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital are warning that untreated varicose veins can lead to serious complications, such as acute superficial thrombophlebitis. A recent case involved a 70-year-old woman who developed severe leg swelling, heat, and pain after standing for extended periods to care for her grandchild, resulting in a diagnosis of acute superficial thrombophlebitis.

Dr. Lu Yu-chieh noted that when vein valves fail, blood pools in the vessels, increasing the risk of blood clots. Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) involving over 420,000 adults indicates that patients with varicose veins face a 5.3 times higher risk of deep vein thrombosis and a 1.73 times higher risk of pulmonary embolism compared to the general population.

While traditional treatments required large incisions and anesthesia, modern minimally invasive options—including medical glue closure, laser closure, and thermal ablation—offer smaller puncture wounds and faster recovery times. Doctors recommend preventive measures such as elevating legs, performing ankle pump exercises, and wearing medical compression stockings, especially for high-risk groups like the elderly, pregnant women, or those who stand for long periods.