Free varicose vein screening event
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[On Monday, February 27 Dr. William R. Reilly, Cardiologist, will be hosting a free varicose vein screening event at Memorial Hospital in Chester, to raise awareness for venous disease and available treatment options, including the VNUS Closure procedure. The event will be from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on that day.
According to studies, an estimated 25 million people in the U.S. have varicose veins. A leading cause of varicose veins is venous reflux disease, caused by incompetent or leaky valves in the great saphenous vein which runs from ankle to groin in each leg. The study states that in addition to varicose veins, other symptoms may include leg pain, fatigue, swelling and skin ulceration. This condition can be progressive if left untreated and symptoms may worsen with time.
*It is estimated that in America, 72% of women and 42% of men will experience varicose veins by the time they are in their 60s.
*Peak incidence of venous insufficiency occurs in women aged 40-49 and in men aged 70-79.
*Common risk factors for varicose veins and venous reflux include multiple pregnancies, family history, obesity and standing professions.
Memorial Hospital in Chester, in conjunction with St. Louis Cardiovascular, is hosting this free screening event in order to educate the community about venous disease, risk factors, prevention and treatment options. "Varicose veins frequently force people to dramatically change their lifestyles, especially when they have standing professions and can no longer tolerate being on their feet all day," said William Reilly, M.D., Cardiologist, who is a member of Memorial Hospital's outpatient specialty clinic staff.
Multiple treatment options are available for this condition. Patients with venous reflux disease can now be treated with the VNUS Closure procedure, a minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to treat the diseased vein. Patients treated with the VNUS Closure procedure typically resume their regular activities in approximately one day. "Prior to the introduction of the VNUS Closure procedure, traditional treatment has been vein stripping surgery, which can result in significantly longer return to work recovery time," Dr. Reilly said. "Patient satisfaction with the VNUS Closure procedure is high, with 95% of patients reporting that they would recommend the procedure to a friend. The procedure is widely embraced by physicians and is covered by most insurance companies," Reilly concluded.
Anyone needing more information, or wishing to make an appointment for the free varicose vein screening event at Memorial Hospital in Chester may call the hospital's outpatient specialty clinic at 618/826-4581, ext. 1330.