Symptoms
Common symptoms of varicose veins include aching, throbbing, stinging, burning, and a feeling of fullness or bloating in the legs. In severe cases, where varicose veins are caused by more severe underlying venous insufficiency, varicose ulcers may also result. There is an increased risk of clotting in patients with varicose veins, and in some cases, this leads to clots forming, them breaking down into smaller clots, which in turn form blockages known as emboli (the singular is embolism) in smaller arteries in the lungs, heart, or brain. Emboli in these regions can represent a life-threatening medical situation.

Last updated: 01-Jan-00