Five Star Vein and Wellness Blog

Most people are aware that the heart is a muscular organ that acts as a pump, pushing the blood around to all the tissues, supplying nutrients and oxygen so that we can function. But how many are aware that we have another pump that helps blood circulate? It is called the muscle pump and it plays an important role returning blood back to the heart.

Last time, in Part 2 of our three part series, we promised to talk about treatment for and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) greater than 5 cm in diameter. As you recall, this dilation is a weak area (aneurysm) on the blood vessel whose risk of rupture goes progressively higher with increasing diameter. Since the risk of rupture of an AAA of 5cm or greater averages 10%/year or higher and the open repair of AAA has a 5-6% mortality rate, it makes sense to repair AAAs greater than 5cm in diameter.

Last time, in Part 1, we discussed Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)—what it is and why it is a serious condition, being the 13th leading cause of death in this country. The question is what to do if you have the risk factors we discussed. How does one diagnose a problem that has no symptoms and is silent until it is too late?

In medical terms, AAA does not refer to highly rated bonds or an Automobile Association. Most physicians recognize that “AAA” means Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm; a silent killer that is the 13th leading cause of death in this country.

As the world gets more complex and more and more information accumulates in a given subject, the tendency for many is to just find an “expert” and go to him/her for information and advice. In the old days this process of finding an expert was difficult. It often involved a library visit, multiple phone calls, and perhaps personal interviews.

Today, in Part 3 of our three part series on Blood Clots and Your Vein Health, we will consider what should be done should you suspect a blood clot. Previous articles have already discussed prevention and have outlined the factors that can upset the body’s balanced coagulation system. If you have these factors, extra precaution and awareness is warranted. Previous history of a clot is also a risk factor.

In Varicose Veins and Pregnancy - Part 1, we discussed the reasons why many women suffer the symptoms of varicose veins during pregnancy. We also learned that some women note that the problem veins continue to bother them after pregnancy. The veins have often been stretched beyond their ability to return to normal. Patients are told to defer any treatment until they are done having children.