Varicose Veins

Kintur A. Sanghvi, MD, FACC, FSCAI -  - Board Certified Cardiologist

NJ Heart & Vascular Care

Kintur A. Sanghvi, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Board Certified Cardiologist & Cardiovascular Physician located in Princeton, NJ & Hamilton Square, NJ

Varicose veins aren’t just unsightly, they could signal an underlying problem known as venous insufficiency. The gnarled, discolored veins can also make your legs feel tired and heavy. At NJ Heart & Vascular Care in Princeton and Hamilton, New Jersey, Kintur Sanghvi, MD, FACC, FSCAI, provides expert diagnosis of venous insufficiency and treatment for varicose veins. If you have uncomfortable veins, call the office to set up an evaluation or book online today.

Varicose Veins Q & A

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are the puffy, twisted veins some people develop, usually on their legs. They appear red, purplish, or blue and can cause your legs to feel tired, heavy, and itchy.

Varicose veins develop when the valves that return blood to the heart don’t work the way they should. Instead of helping blood return to the heart, the valves block the return or send the blood back down into your legs. Blood pools in the veins as a result.

When should I seek treatment for varicose veins?

It’s a good idea to have your varicose veins evaluated because they’re usually an indication of venous insufficiency. The earlier you seek treatment, the more likely you are to avoid serious complications.

Signs of venous insufficiency include:

  • New varicose veins
  • Swelling in your ankles and lower legs
  • Aching or tiredness in the legs
  • Itchy, flaky skin on your legs or feet
  • Leathery looking skin on your legs


Dr. Sanghvi evaluates you for venous insufficiency and offers the latest treatments to reduce your risk of complications like deep vein thrombosis and leg ulcers.

Treatment for varicose veins can improve the way your legs look and function. You’ll feel more confident in a pair of shorts and your legs will feel more springy as you walk and run.

How are varicose veins treated?

If chronic vein insufficiency goes untreated, pressure and swelling in the veins increase, and blood vessels in the legs can burst. Your overlying skin becomes brownish-red and quite sensitive to injury. The exact course of your treatment depends on the severity of your condition. Dr. Sanghvi may recommend:

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes are sometimes enough to resolve mild varicose veins. Dr. Sanghvi may recommend weight loss and increased physical activity. A medical-grade compression hose can help with discomfort and swelling. 

Dr. Sanghvi will instruct you to avoid long periods of sitting  — such as in a car trip or on a long flight — and offer antibiotics for any ulcers to prevent infection.

Non-surgical interventions

Non-surgical interventions include sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a solution into small varicose veins so they collapse and disappear. 

Endovenous thermal ablation is another minimally invasive option that uses a laser or radiofrequency energy to heat up the affected vein so it closes off and eventually fades away.

More involved treatments like vein stripping, phlebectomy, and vein bypass are also available in the case of severe varicose veins.

If you have varicose veins, make an appointment at NJ Heart & Vascular Care to have them evaluated and treated. Call the office or book online today.