Difference Between Varicose Veins and Deep Vein Thrombosis

One may notice protruding veins on the legs and wonder if they are varicose veins or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). While both affect the veins, one is visually apparent on the surface while the other affects deeper vessels inside the leg. Properly understanding the differences between these vein disorders is critical for seeking appropriate medical care. Read on to learn more about the difference between varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis.

What are Varicose Veins?

Veins are blood vessels which carry blood from limbs to the heart. There are superficial and deep veins in the human body. Any problem in the vein wall or valves, blood fails to return to the heart and blood can begin pooling and causing swelling of the leg and multiple dilated veins in the leg. These dilated, tortuous superficial veins are termed varicose veins.

• Risk factors of varicose veins include prolonged standing, family history of varicose veins, obesity, pregnancy, previous history of deep venous thrombosis.
• Although unsightly and sometimes uncomfortable, varicose veins themselves are rarely dangerous or life-threatening. 
• However, recognizing when unusual leg swelling or discomfort may indicate advancing varicose veins versus a more concerning diagnosis becomes critical. 
• As veins continue to deteriorate, surrounding tissue inflammation leads to thickening of skin, pigmentation and ulceration. 
• In rare cases, bleeding from ruptured surface vessels may arise.

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?

Deep venous thrombosis is a condition where blood clots form in deep veins of the limbs. In contrast to clearly visible varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) develops in deeper leg vessels like iliac, femoral, popliteal, and tibial veins. 

• Risk factors of deep venous thrombosis includes prolonged travel, major surgeries, immobilization, hereditary disorders, pregnancy, and any trauma.
• Clots within deep leg veins steadily grow larger and thicker, completely obstructing blood flow. 
• Parts of clots often then detach from vessel walls and travel through the circulation as emboli until lodging in and blocking vital pulmonary arteries in the lungs. 
• This obstruction is termed pulmonary embolism and constitutes a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical care. 
• No such risk of dislodged clots leading to embolism exists inherently with varicose veins.

Adding to the risks, the early symptoms of DVT often appear benign, resembling features of common leg injuries or varicose veins.

• Thus, the development of diagnostic blood tests and imaging studies now allows definitive diagnosis of suspected DVT and prompts rapid treatment to avoid catastrophic clots travelling up from the deep leg veins into the lungs.

Differences between DVT and Varicose Veins

While both varicose veins and DVT occur in leg veins and cause symptoms like leg swelling and pain, their appearance, risk factors and treatments differ considerably. 

• Visually, the most obvious distinction lies in varicose veins outward visibility versus DVT’s hidden location within deep veins. 
• In contrast, DVT may exhibit  external signs like swelling of leg or skin redness with warm sensation which are sudden in onset.

Treatment options also differ considerably between these venous disorders. 

• Many varicose veins never require intervention beyond exercise, periodic leg elevation, use of elastic compression stockings. 
• Uncomplicated, mild cases undergo outpatient procedures to eliminate defective surface vessels using minimally invasive laser, sclerotherapy or radiofrequency ablation techniques. 
• These methods seal and redirect circulation away from dysfunctional vessels. 
• In contrast, DVT demands prompt, carefully tailored medication regimens - usually injections to rapidly thin blood and begin dissolving life-threatening clots before they enlarge and dislodge. 
• Aggressive blood thinning then continues orally for months post DVT. 
• Elastic stockings may help relieve swelling but cannot treat existing clots. 
• Depending on clot size, physicians may recommend directly extracting them surgically or injecting clot dissolving drugs for more rapid dissolution.

Conclusion

One must consider the potential underlying formation of DVT before casually overlooking or ignoring leg swelling as merely superficial varicose veins. Any swelling of the legs warrants diagnostic investigation and treatment according to the cause. Even though varicose veins may seem harmless, it's important to stay alert and check for any hidden blood clots developing inside. Prompt diagnosis and medical care initiated at the first symptoms of deep venous thrombosis prove essential to avoid severe clots travelling silently upward from thrombosed major leg veins into the pulmonary arteries, threatening life itself.