If you’ve noticed leg pain, swelling, heaviness, or visible veins—don’t ignore them. These could be signs of vein disease, a progressive medical condition that worsens over time without proper care. At the Vein & Aesthetic Center, we emphasize early detection, and that starts with a simple, non-invasive ultrasound.
Vein disease, or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), occurs when the valves in your leg veins weaken or fail. These valves are supposed to keep blood flowing up toward the heart. When they don’t work properly, blood pools in the legs, leading to symptoms like:
Many people think vein issues are only cosmetic—but that’s far from the truth. Without treatment, the symptoms worsen over time. What starts as mild swelling or visible veins can develop into serious complications, including:
That’s why it’s so important not to “wait and see.” Early evaluation is key.
A venous ultrasound is the gold standard for diagnosing vein disease. It’s a painless, non-invasive scan that allows our specialists to see how blood is flowing through your veins. We use this to:
Your ultrasound results help us build a personalized treatment plan that may include minimally invasive options like radiofrequency ablation, Varithena injections, sclerotherapy, or compression therapy.
When it comes to diagnosing and treating vein disease, there are specific ultrasound criteria that help determine if a vein is considered abnormal and needs treatment. One of the most important things we look at is vein diameter and reflux—but what does that actually mean for you?
Different insurance carriers may use slightly different thresholds, but most go by the following general standards:
Reflux is when blood flows backward in your veins instead of going up toward your heart. In healthy veins, small valves act like one-way doors to keep blood moving in the right direction. But when those valves weaken or fail, blood starts pooling in the lower legs—leading to symptoms like heaviness, swelling, bulging veins, or pain.
Think of it like this: Imagine your veins are like highways, and the valves are traffic lights. If the lights stop working, traffic gets backed up—and in your body, that “traffic jam” is blood collecting in your legs.
In medical terms, reflux is measured in milliseconds (MSEC). A reflux time over 500 MSEC (or half a second) is generally considered abnormal.
A vein that is both dilated and has significant reflux is typically considered incompetent—and that’s when a vascular or vein specialist should evaluate your case. These findings can indicate chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a progressive condition that can lead to worsening symptoms and complications if left untreated.
The good news is that vein disease is considered a medical condition—not just cosmetic—so most insurance plans, including Medicare and major private carriers, typically cover ultrasound evaluations and medically necessary treatments. At the Vein & Aesthetic Center, we use advanced ultrasound technology to accurately diagnose vein issues and develop a personalized treatment plan, often fully or partially covered by your insurance.
We now perform diagnostic vein scans every FRIDAY at our Tampa office.
If you're experiencing leg discomfort, swelling, or visible veins, this is the first step toward getting the care you need.
Vein disease won’t go away on its own—but with early diagnosis, we can prevent progression and restore your quality of life.
Seeing the results you desire in the mirror is within reach! Schedule your free consultation with Vein & Aesthetics Center of Tampa Bay, and find out how Dr. Gharai can help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
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