BLOOD CLOTS Archives

WHAT DOES GETTING A BLOOD CLOT FEEL LIKE

Posted on November 7, 2019May 14, 2020 by Angelica Rodezno

Most people know someone who has had a leg blood clot in their deep veins. It is something that is more and more common with the type of lifestyle that has become the norm in the 21^st century.

People are becoming more sedentary, becoming more obese, having more surgeries, and traveling long distances in cars and planes. All of these things increase your risk for having a blood clot. How do you know if you have one and that you just didn’t sleep wrong on your leg or pull a muscle?

It is not always easy to tell. The only sure way to diagnose a blood clot is to get an ultrasound in an accredited vascular ultrasound laboratory. DVTs or deep venous thrombosis are a dangerous occurrence because the blood clot can travel to the patient’s lungs and cause a PE or pulmonary embolus. This can sometimes be deadly.

Fortunately, most larger hospitals do have this specialized service, but most urgent care centers DO NOT. The ultrasound technologist, who performs the test, is critical to the diagnosis. the reality, however, is that if you have an ultrasound technologist who really spends most of their time looking at unborn babies, they may not have the expertise to interpret problems in blood flow in the veins. Especially when someone’s leg is swollen, the findings may be subtle, and require an expert technologist—one who has the additional credential RVT.

RVT stand for Registered Vascular Technologist. This signifies that the ultrasound tech has done special training, and has taken a difficult exam covering not only pictures on an ultrasound screen, but a lot of physics about flow rates and mechanics that are important in understanding the blood flow inside a patient’s arteries and veins.

The patient who is suspected to have a blood clot (DVT) is usually one who has a SUDDEN ONSET OF LEG PAIN AND CALF SWELLING. This may happen immediately after a long car or plane ride, or may occur a few days after their trip.

The swelling does not generally go away for a few days, though the pain often does. The classic sign taught in medical school is called “Homan’s Sign” which is when lifting the big toe of the affected leg causes pain in the back of the calf. It is actually present only about thirty percent of the time in DVT’s. If the blood clot is in a bigger vein in the thigh or pelvis, the entire leg can be painful or swollen.

In very severe cases, the leg will appear purple or even blanched. If the blood clot travels to the lungs and causes a pulmonary embolus, the patient complains of shortness of breath and chest pain. Sometimes the clot is so big it can cause severe strain on the heart. Some patients think they are having a heart attack, but one way to differentiate it is that the pain is worse when taking a breath in. In either case, seeking immediate medical attention in an emergency room is critical.

WHEN HIP PAIN MAY BE MORE THAN JUST ARTHRITIS

Posted on October 11, 2019May 15, 2020 by Angelica Rodezno

Do your legs hurt when you walk? Can you only walk a block or two before you start experiencing cramping in your hip or buttock? Often times, patients are told this is just a normal part of getting older and probably due to arthritis. But sometimes it isn’t. If your pain only happens when you walk a certain distance and stops when you stop walking, it may be a circulation issue known as claudication. Claudication is a vascular condition that occurs when your leg muscles do not get enough blood flow while they are being used. This is generally caused by a build-up of plaque in the arteries–known as atherosclerosis–in your abdomen or legs. This build-up of plaque on the inside of the arteries, which carry oxygen and nutrients to your organs and muscles, restricts how much blood and therefore oxygen can get to the muscles. When you walk, you use energy, and your muscle requires more oxygen and nutrients to work. If the muscle does not get this needed oxygen, it begins to cramp up. This causes pain, and ultimately causes you to stop walking. Those at risk for this happening are people over the age of 60, those who smoke or were smokers in the past, those with high cholesterol or high blood pressure, and those who have heart disease or have had an ischemic stroke.

This problem can occur in one or multiple arteries from your belly button to your knee. It can be easily diagnosed on exam by simply feeling pulses in the patient’s groin, behind their knees, and at their ankles to check for blood flow. We can also listen for an abnormal sound called a “bruit” in the abdomen or the groin with a stethoscope. Where the pain is in your leg gives a clue as to where the problem is in your arteries. If there is a problem in the arteries in your abdomen or pelvis (the aorta and iliac arteries), it will cause buttock or hip pain with walking. This is often confused as hip arthritis or bursitis by medical doctors and patients. At SBVC, we have seen many patients who have had multiple injections into their backs or hip joints with no relief. On exam, we find they do not have pulses in their groin. An ultrasound done by specialized vascular technologists checking blood flow in the arteries will confirm this exam finding and can help plan treatment. Most treatments today are directed at opening the blood vessels up with surgery or a stent procedure. These are very safe and can immediately provide relief from pain and allow the patient to walk much longer distances than before. If you believe you are suffering from claudication, please talk to your doctor about your options. You may benefit from seeing a vascular surgeon for ultrasound and possible treatment.

BLOOD CLOTS (DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS‐DVT) A SILENT KILLER

Posted on June 21, 2016May 19, 2020 by Angelica Rodezno

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling, but may occur without any symptoms. DVT is a very feared complication of venous disease because it can lead to a pulmonary embolus, a clot in the lung that can be deadly.

There are several symptoms to DVT but the most common are the sudden onset of pain and swelling in your leg. This does not happen in your foot, but happens, most commonly in the back of your calf or your entire thigh. Usually, the painful part of your leg is also swollen. This comes on abruptly and generally does not go away even after a few days. It is very important to go to your regular doctor and get an ultrasound of your leg. If this is “normal” but the swelling or pain persists, then you should go see a vascular surgeon as more testing (such as CT scan or specialized ultrasound) may need to be done. This is quite important to do quickly as some treatments only work if they are done within a week of the development of symptoms.

If you are diagnosed with a DVT, you should be treated with blood thinners immediately. The role of blood thinners is not to actually “dissolve” the clot in your leg, but rather to prevent it from travelling to your lung and causing a Pulmonary Embolus. The blood thinners also work to prevent the clot from becoming more extensive. If this is your first blood clot, you should be treated for 6 weeks to 3 months with blood thinners depending on why the blood clot occurred. The risk factors for developing blood clots include long plane or car rides, immobility (after an operation or injury), obesity, being very sedentary, pregnancy, having had an orthopedic or gynecologic procedure, some genetic factors (hypercoagulable syndromes), dehydration, and cancer. It is important if there if there is not a clear reason for the blood clot, that a search for a hidden cause be done.

Dr. Kokinos and the staff at South Bay Vascular Center and Vein Institute are experts in the identification of and treatment of blood clots. If you or anyone you know suffers from the rapid onset of pain and or swelling following a medical procedure and or long trip (most common on long airplane flights) please contact your primary physician immediately or call us at 408-376-3626 to discuss your treatment options.

TREATMENT OF VARICOSE VEINS IN LOS GATOS

Posted on May 4, 2016May 19, 2020 by Angelica Rodezno

WE CAN TREAT YOUR VARICOSE VEINS, SWOLLEN, ACHING LEGS, NON HEALING LEG WOUNDS, AND PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE

For 20 years, the physicians and staff of South Bay Vascular Center and Vein Institute have successfully treated tens of thousands of patients in the Silicon Valley communities of Los Gatos, San Jose, Campbell, Los Altos, Palo Alto, Morgan Hill, Gilroy and the greater South Bay. Our ABMS Boarded Vascular Surgeons are experts in the treatment of varicose veins and swollen legs and can help patients get their lives back by successfully treating these conditions.

Spider and varicose veins are a common problem that many men and women have to confront. Spider veins are small, reddish veins that appear on the surface on the skin, while varicose veins are blue, tangled, bulging, knotted vessels that are much larger. Women are more likely to experience varicose veins than men, but they are common among both genders.

Aside from their unsightly appearance, varicose veins can cause a feeling of heaviness or tiredness in the leg, swelling, tenderness or pain when touched, and a general sense of restlessness. Age and family history are two major factors in a person’s risk of varicose or spider veins, but lifestyle also has a role to play. People who do not exercise regularly, are overweight or obese, or who sit or stand for long periods of time have a higher risk of varicose veins and venous insufficiency. Women who are pregnant also have a higher chance of these issues.

Varicose and spider veins are most common among people who are middleaged, but even those in their teens and twenties can have this problem. No matter what a person’s age, there is no reason to wait to have these issues examined.

Vein issues can occur if a vein becomes weakened. Elastic vein walls and tiny oneway valves help send blood back to the heart, but if they lose their strength blood can start to pool backwards into the vein. Varicose veins may not be symptomatic at first, but many patients eventually report achiness and a sense of heaviness in their legs. Often accompanying these symptoms are ankle and lower leg swelling, cramps, a sense of restlessness, and an irritated or itchy rash around the ankles. The area around the vein may become numb or tender to the touch.

Varicose vein symptoms can also be aesthetic. Bulging, twisted, or knotted veins can form over the ankle and foot while the skin around them becomes discolored, leathery, and thick. In advanced stages this skin may begin to break down, leading to ulceration.

Spider veins are similar to varicosities, but they are smaller and appear closer to the skin’s surface. As their name suggest, they often form in patterns similar to spider webs. They are often red in color and may be a sign of more serious vein disease under the skin

Varicose veins can lead to more serious conditions, including:
● Thromboses – blood clots that form in an enlarged vein
● Phlebitis – vein inflammation
● Venous Stasis Ulcers – Ulcers that form due to a lack of proper drainage in an enlarged vein

Lots of centers treat the complications of poor flow through the venous system when it shows up as spider veins, varicose veins, and other cosmetic issues. Fast cosmetic fixes, however, can often mask more serious underlying circulation issues that only a vascular surgeon is trained to address. At South Bay Vascular Center and Vein Institute our goal is simple: to ensure the best possible outcomes in the safest and most comfortable environment possible.

If you suffer from varicose veins, leg swelling, especially Left Leg Swelling, after cosmetic vein treatments, please call our office at 408-376-3626 to discuss how we can treat your varicose vein and other circulatory issues. We Can Help!

HOW ARE VARICOSE VEINS TREATED?

Posted on April 25, 2016May 20, 2020 by Angelica Rodezno

Both invasive and non-invasive (i.e surgical and non-surgical) methods are available to treat varicose veins. Non-invasive methods include wearing compression stockings, exercising, leg elevation, losing weight, not wearing tight clothes, avoiding long periods of standing or sitting and not crossing your legs while seated. Invasive treatments include endovenous therapy, ligation, and phlebectomy.

Endovenous therapy is treatment from inside the vein using heat generated by lasers, radiofrequency devices or chemicals to irritate the vein walls and cause the vein to close and then be reabsorbed by the body. Ligation is tying off a vein to cause it to shrink. Phlebectomy is removal of varicose veins. Only after your physician evaluates a patients vascular ultrasound study are they in a position to discuss the best treatment option for their patients. The vascular surgeons of South Bay Vascular Center and Vein Institute have successfully treated tens of thousands of varicose vein patients in their 20 year history of serving the silicon valley community. With offices in Campbell and Morgan Hill, Dr. Kokinos and her staff are honored to meet with you to discuss any questions you may have regarding varicose veins or any other circulatory related medical condition. Please call our office today to schedule an appointment to help us evaluate your treatment options. 408-376-3626

SWOLLEN LEG?

Posted on April 24, 2016May 21, 2020 by Angelica Rodezno

It is amazing to me how many patients we see who have suffered with leg swelling or wounds for months or years. They believe that it will just go away, or that the wound will just heal. Sometimes, they have even gone to their doctor, who usually does not even look at their leg. Although mild ankle swelling can sometimes occur just because the weather has been hot, or you have been sitting for a long time, or you had a lot of salt in your diet, the vast majority of the time, there is actually an underlying reason for the leg swelling. This can include such “big” problems such as a heart or kidney problem, a blood clot that has not been diagnosed (especially after an orthopedic procedure or a long car or plane trip), a tumor that is compressing your abdominal or pelvic vessels, or leaky valves in your veins. It is truly important to seek expert help from a vascular surgeon if your leg swelling extends up into your calf, or if it lasts more than a couple of days. This is especially true if it is painful. That is most commonly the sign of a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and those must be treated immediately to prevent the blood clot from going to your lung and potentially killing you. Pulmonary embolus, when the clot travels to your lung and blocks a main artery there, is the number three cause of death in the United States that nobody talks about.

The work-up for leg swelling almost always will involve a leg ultrasound. This is a painless, quick, and inexpensive test that is diagnostic both for blood clots and leaky valves in the veins. Sometimes, if the problem is in the abdomen or pelvis, an ultrasound or CT scan there may be necessary. If the problems relates to a kidney or heart issue, blood work may be in order. In any case, sometimes, the treatment of the underlying problems that cause leg swelling need to be begun within a few days of its occuring so that one can have the best outcome possible.

If you have a swollen leg, whether it is for a few days or several months, come see the experts at South Bay Vascular Center to help diagnose and treat its cause.

SOUTH BAY VASCULAR CENTER LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Posted on April 20, 2016May 21, 2020 by Angelica Rodezno

South Bay Vascular Center and Vein Institute is pleased to announce the launch of their new website. The new site is designed to offer patients an easy to read, customer friendly option for interacting with our practice. Our goal with the new site is:

To provide our patients and prospective patients a more complete understanding of our practice; who we are and what we do.
To help educate our patients on the available options for the diagnosis and treatment of their vascular medical issues.
To improve our customer service for patients by giving them the ability to submit their insurance information on line, in advance of their visit, in an effort to both streamline their visit and to verify coverage.
To provide a portal through which patients can download all of their check-in and registration documents, as well as their pre-operative and post-operative medical instructions directly from the website.

South Bay Vascular Center and Vein Institute is proud to celebrate its 20th year serving the patients of Silicon Valley, South County and beyond. With the opening of our new angiography suite in Campbell, CA. our practice continues to be on the cutting edge of Vascular medicine. Advancements in medical imaging and devices have enabled our surgeons and interventional radiology partners to treat circulatory issues in our new state of the art center in ways that were never before possible, greatly enhancing our ability to serve the vascular surgery needs of our patients.

Dr. Kokinos, a nationally recognized ABMS Board Certified General and Vascular Surgeon, and her staff are pleased to meet and to discuss treatment options for all your vascular related issues. If you suffer from leg swelling, non-healing ulcers and wounds, experience complications following cosmetic vascular procedures (varicose and spider veins etc) have been diagnosed with a Blood Clot or DVT, we are here to help.

Don’t continue to suffer alone…we can provide guidance and help when you feel like there are no answers to your medical condition. Give us a call to discuss your treatment options and we can help you “Get your life back.”