Some of the Best Vein Doctors in Palm Beach Tell How You Should Prepare for Your First Vein Appointm

Many people about to seek vein treatment in Palm Beach for the first time have questions about what to expect in their first appointment. Having had medical tests that required them to fast for some time beforehand, or to run on treadmills or otherwise exercise when they're not used to it, or undergo painful and invasive diagnostic procedures, they are understandably wary about their first visit to a Florida vein specialist.

Relax. There is literally nothing to fear. A venous health screening is probably the simplest and least traumatic medical experience you'll ever have. You actually don't need to "prepare" for it at all, except possibly to gather some family health information beforehand, if you don't know it already.

What does a venous health screening involve?

As performed by the best vein doctors in Florida, your screening will start with a pretty standard basic physical examination. During this exam, the doctor will ask questions about your general health, with the goal of assessing your possible risks for vein disease. For example, because vein disease can be inherited, the doctor may ask whether members of your family have a history of varicose veins or vein disease. He may also ask about their history with obesity, smoking, and cardiovascular disease. These questions are not meant to be intrusive, but to help us determine the level of vein disease risk you have inherited.

Next, because one of the major risk factors for vein disease is inactivity, the doctor may ask how much exercise you get and whether you tend to live a more active lifestyle or a more sedentary one. Again, this is important information because (for example) if your job forces you to sit all day, this greatly increases your vein disease risk. The doctor may then ask about specific symptoms, such as whether you have varicose veins or swollen legs and ankles, and if so, whether they cause you pain or discomfort. If you are female, he may also ask whether you have given birth, or are taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, because these can also increase your vein disease risk.

What actual tests are performed, and do they hurt?

The physical tests performed during a venous health screening are to determine the exact causes of any symptoms you have, and to allow the doctor to determine what the best treatment options may be. These tests often start with standard blood pressure measurements, sometimes taken both at the wrist and the ankle. This allows us to measure the ankle-brachial index, which helps detect one of the primary causes of varicose veins. Next, if previous tests warrant it, the doctor may use Doppler ultrasound to look below the surface of the skin to visualize the veins themselves and determine whether blood is flowing through them normally. Ultrasound is safer than X-rays and causes no discomfort at all.

If you want, prepare a list of your own questions to ask

Naturally, after the screening has been completed, the best vein doctors in Palm Beach will discuss his findings with you. But because at South Palm Cardiovascular Associates we are concerned with addressing your specific concerns and goals, we suggest that you prepare a list of questions to ask us, such as:

• "What did you find? Are my symptoms due to vein disease or not?"
• "If I don't have vein disease currently, what can I do to prevent it?"
• "If I do have vein disease, what are my treatment options?"
• "What would be the result of avoiding or delaying treatment?"

We hope that we've helped you understand how easy and painless a venous health screening is. We also hope that you feel reassured enough to call us at 561-515-0080 and set one up. It's the first step towards better vein health.

Author Bio: Some of the Best Vein Doctors in Palm Beach explain what will happen in your first vein appointment and how to prepare for it.

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