Podcasts about vein health

Whether you’re exercising at the gym, cleaning your house, or commuting in your car, podcasts are an easy, efficient way to be informed or entertained. There are two excellent podcasts about vein health and the practice of vein care.

The “Healthy Veins, Healthy Legs” podcast is adapted from an hour-long radio show hosted by Dr. Robert Kistner of the Kistner Vein Clinic and Mike Buck. The show covers all aspects of venous disease, ailments of the legs, and the latest and most effective treatment options. The conversations are lively and were recorded in Hawaii!

“VeinCast” is a monthly podcast intended for those involved in the treatment of venous and lymphatic disease. The podcast, sponsored by the American College of Phlebology Foundation, is co-hosted by Dr. Todd Hansen of Carolina Vein Associates and Dr. Albert Malvehy of Miami Beach Vein Institute.

Last year, Drs. Hansen and Malvehy were participants in the inaugural ACP Leadership Academy. The teammates (mentored by Vein Healthcare Center’s very own Dr. Asbjornsen) share a background in Emergency Medicine and were interested in sharing information using the podcast format.

Said Dr. Hansen: “I have been a avid podcast enthusiast for many years, so I had a natural affinity for this project. Access to ‘on demand’ information suits my needs and allows me to make best use of time by listening to informative and freely available information on a wide range of topics.”  

“VeinCast” explores topics related to vein care, practice management, new technologies, and the wide range of issues that physicians face practicing phlebology. In addition to being a convenient resource for anyone interested in the practice of vein care, the podcast provides added value to current members of the American College of Phlebology (ACP). Dr. Hansen also hopes that it will drive membership by attracting new professionals to the ACP: “This podcast is one small way that we can contribute to the future of phlebology.”

Click here to listen to “Healthy Veins, Healthy Legs.”

Click here to listen to “VeinCast.”

What is ultrasound mapping?

Vein disease, which often manifests as varicose veins, is defined as the impairment of blood flow towards your heart. Oxygenated blood is constantly being pumped from the heart to the rest of our bodies through arteries. It is the job of our veins to carry deoxygenated blood back up to the heart.

Healthy veins have valves that open and close to assist the return of blood to the heart. Vein disease occurs when these valves become damaged, allowing the backward flow of blood in the legs where it can pool, leading to a feeling of heaviness and fatigue and causing varicose veins or other skin changes.

Ultrasound is a tool used to diagnose if and where a vein valve (or multiple valves) in the legs is damaged. High-frequency sound waves are used to create images that allow the doctor to see which veins have flow going in which direction—like a road map for the venous system.

A healthy vein will only allow flow from the feet towards the heart. Faulty veins are often connected, so finding the “source” of the problem is a complicated, but critical, step in establishing where exactly treatment should start.

Ultrasound is the gold standard for evaluation of chronic venous disease, and it is important to have a qualified sonographer perform the mapping in order to have accurate diagnostic results. To learn more about what to expect at a vein evaluation, visit our previous post on the topic.

World Thrombosis Day

October 13, 2014 is the first-ever World Thrombosis Day, a chance for people around the world to learn a little about what's more commonly known as "blood clots."

For a quick review on blood clots--what they are, how to spot them, and how to stop them--check out this article in the Bangor Daily News by Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen, founder of the Vein Healthcare Center.

Dr. Asbjornsen also wrote a guest post for Diane Atwood's popular health blog Catching Health. There, you can learn about this man:

And listen to this conversation with Dr. Asbjornsen and two of her colleagues, on an episode of Maine Calling from earlier this year: "Advances in Treating and Detecting Blood Clots."

Finally, go to the World Thrombosis Day website to get all the facts. Reducing your risk begins by educating yourself.

Happy veins, happy hearts

During the month of February, Americans tend to think a little more about their hearts, especially about what they can do to keep their arteries healthy. But arteries are just half of the story. 

Veins also need to be healthy to do their work optimally. (For a brief review of the circulatory system, check out our last post.)

While vein treatments today are outpatient procedures, minimally invasive and virtually pain-free, there ARE things one can do before seeing a doctor. 

Here are 3 ways to alleviate venous discomfort and help prevent the progression of symptoms:

• Walk. Walking causes the rhythmic contraction of calf muscles and helps promote blood flow to the heart. Walk at least 30 minutes every day– all at once, or in shorter increments.

• Elevate. Elevating your legs above your heart as often as possible– for as long as 30 minutes, or as briefly as three minutes. The best time is after you have been standing, or after a hot shower.

• Don’t smoke. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke constricts veins and affects overall circulation.

• Sit properly. Focus on good posture and avoid crossing your legs, or sitting in ways that can compress veins for prolonged periods.

Happy Valentine’s Day, and as always, feel free to give us a call at the Vein Healthcare Center with any vein-related questions you may have.

Achy, Heavy, Throbbing Legs? TV’s “The Doctors” Weigh in On Symptoms of Varicose Veins

In last week’s USA Weekend, “The Doctors”, known best for dispensing expert advice on their popular daytime TV show, explain why varicose veins are not just cosmetic and what you can do to prevent them.

From What You Can Do About Varicose Veins:

Start with lifestyle changes — exercising, elevating your legs and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting can help ease pain and keep veins from getting worse. In some cases, compression stockings may be needed to help with blood flow. For more severe varicose veins, there are a number of minimally invasive options that can fade or remove the vein; newer treatments use laser or radiofrequency to heat and close off the vein.

Read the full article.