WESTON, W.Va. – Vein Specialist, Dr. Ferdinand Martinez, invites patients to take advantage of the free vein screening to be held on Monday, July 20 from 2 – 4 p.m. at Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital.

More than 45 million Americans suffer from venous disease. Surprisingly, 25 percent of women and 15 percent of men have vein related issues, but only 3 percent seek treatment. Left untreated, venous disease can lead to the increased risk of blood clots, skin color changes or ulcer formations. A typical venous problem is varicose veins or phlebitis.

Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may include swelling of the legs or ankles, tightness or itching in one’s calves, painful legs, pain when walking that stops when resting, varicose veins and painful leg cramps or muscle spasms.

Venous disease can be a result of heredity. Other causes for vein disease are age, gender and trauma.  Pregnancy and obesity can add to the probability of developing vein problems as well as professions which necessitate standing such as teaching, factory jobs or construction work.

Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins do not allow blood to flow to the heart. Blood can also flow backwards when these valves don’t work well, causing blood to collect in the legs. Some can use compression stockings to provide the necessary pressure to keep the blood moving up the leg. This method alleviates the symptoms but does not correct the condition.

The SJMH Vein Center will provide patients with an alternative to compression stockings including an outpatient procedure called thermal ablation. The procedure takes less than 60 minutes and yields a 99 percent success rate. 

For questions or to register for the screenings, please call 304-517-1272.