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Hypertension

Commonwealth Vein Center

Vascular, Vein and Wound Specialists & Cardiologists located in Colonial Heights, VA & Richmond, VA, & McLean, VA

Hypertension is a common health condition that develops without causing symptoms. Having hypertension increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke. At Commonwealth Vein Center in Colonial Heights, Richmond, and McLean, Virginia, the team of vein and vascular experts provides comprehensive care for hypertension, including venous hypertension. Call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online today.

Hypertension Q & A

What is hypertension?

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a chronic health condition that develops when excessive force is exerted against the walls of your blood vessels over an extended period of time.

The excess force damages the blood vessels, causing them to thicken, stiffen, and narrow. These blood vessel changes mean your heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout your body.

Having hypertension increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, as well as heart failure. 

When your primary care provider talks to you about hypertension, it’s usually arterial hypertension. That means the excess force affects your arteries. But hypertension also affects the veins. That is known as venous hypertension.

What is venous hypertension?

Venous hypertension means there’s prolonged, excess pressure in your veins. Though not as life-threatening as arterial hypertension, venous hypertension affects circulation and may cause other health problems.

The excess pressure in your veins may develop because of damage to the valves in your veins. The valves in your veins open and close to help push blood back to your heart and lungs for reoxygenation. 

When you have valve damage, the blood falls backward and pools in the veins. The pooling blood places extra pressure on the walls of these veins, causing them to stretch and widen. 

With venous hypertension, you may develop varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). These conditions affect the circulation in your legs and may lead to problems like leg pain, leg swelling, or non-healing leg ulcers.

How is hypertension treated?

The vascular experts at Commonwealth Vein Center work closely with your primary care provider to help you manage hypertension. Treatment may include weight loss, regular exercise, and diet changes. Your provider may also prescribe blood pressure medication. 

How is venous hypertension treated?

The Commonwealth Vein Center team specializes in the treatment of venous hypertension. They customize your plan based on the severity of your symptoms and their underlying cause.

In addition to lifestyle changes, the team may recommend you wear compression stockings to improve circulation. They also perform venous ablation procedures, sclerotherapy, or use the VenaSeal™ Closure System to treat venous hypertension.

These procedures close the damaged vein, and your body reroutes blood through healthier veins, improving circulation.

To learn more about venous hypertension, call Commonwealth Vein Center or schedule an appointment online today.