What Happens When You Pop a Vein?

Vascular trauma describes damage to a blood vessel, which can happen to anyone. This trauma can range from mild to moderate to severe. Vascular trauma usually occurs due to accidents, injuries or underlying medical conditions like varicose veins.

One of the most common types of vascular trauma is a vein bursting – also known as a popped vein. This can happen anywhere in the body but varicose veins are more prone to bursting due to the pressure they experience over time. Knowing what happens when a vein bursts, how to manage it and what to expect with treatment will help you make informed decisions about your vascular health.

Symptoms of a Burst Varicose Vein

If your varicose vein ruptures without the skin breaking near the vein, you may experience symptoms like bruising, fainting, or dizziness. If you experience these symptoms, you should contact a vein care specialist or a local emergency room.

Getting medical care is important to avoid excessive blood loss or other potential complications.

When a varicose vein ruptures due to trauma that breaks the skin, you will see significant bleeding. This type of rupture happens because your veins burst from excessive pressure, which causes rapid, profuse bleeding.

Call 911 immediately and seek medical attention to prevent severe blood loss if this ever happens.

How a Vein Can Burst

Varicose veins burst for several reasons, the main one being excess pressure inside the vein. This pressure can build up over time due to prolonged standing, weight gain, or poor circulation. When a vein can no longer take the stress, its walls weaken, eventually giving way and burst. External trauma, like a blow to the leg, can also cause a varicose vein to burst, especially if the vein is already fragile.

Aside from the immediate risk of blood loss, a burst of the varicose vein can lead to other complications. For example, an open wound can increase the risk of infection, especially if the bleeding is not controlled.

What to Do in the Event of a Burst Vein

If a vein has ruptured, immediate action is critical. If there’s significant bleeding, the first thing to do is to elevate the affected limb to reduce blood flow to the area. This will help minimize blood loss. Next, apply firm pressure directly to the wound using a clean cloth or towel. The pressure should be maintained until emergency services arrive, or you can get to a medical facility.

Even if the bleeding stops, you should still seek medical attention. A vein specialist will be able to assess the situation and determine if further treatment is needed to prevent future ruptures. If not treated properly, other varicose veins may burst, or the original vein may burst again.

How to Care for a Ruptured Varicose Vein

If you have a ruptured varicose vein, you should elevate your leg to help reduce swelling and blood loss.

Next, try applying pressure around the bleeding site with a clean towel or cotton shirt. Applying pressure can help slow the bleeding or stop it entirely while seeking medical attention.

For more severe cases, especially if a large varicose vein has burst, other treatments like laser therapy or surgery may be recommended. The goal of these treatments is not only to stop the immediate bleeding but also to address the underlying issue of venous insufficiency to prevent future ruptures or other complications like leg ulcers.

When you meet with a medical provider, they will likely perform ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy.

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a type of treatment via injection into the varicose vein. The injection has a solution that damages it and forces it to collapse. Your body compensates for this collapse by rerouting circulation to nearby healthy veins.

Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment option for small, superficial varicose veins. Superficial veins are veins that are close to the surface of the skin.

Depending on the type of varicose veins you have and the injury or trauma associated with the burst vein, you may or may not be eligible for sclerotherapy. Ultimately, the treatment will be at the discretion of the vein specialist who treats you.

Other options

In addition to sclerotherapy, there are other treatments for varicose veins. These may include:

• Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT): A minimally invasive procedure that uses laser energy to close off the affected vein.
• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This treatment uses radiofrequency energy to heat and seal the vein, improve circulation, and reduce the appearance of varicose veins.
• Vein Stripping and Ligation: In severe cases, surgical removal of the damaged veins may be necessary. This is usually done when less invasive treatments are not effective or not possible.

How to Prevent Your Varicose Veins from Bursting

The best way to prevent your varicose veins from bursting is to get preventative vein treatment before they have a chance to burst.

If you do not treat your varicose veins, you could experience serious health problems like ruptured veins or leg ulcers.

If you are currently unable to seek treatment for any reason, you can try to mitigate risks associated with varicose veins by adopting a vein-healthy lifestyle.

A vein-healthy lifestyle includes getting proper nutrition, adequate hydration, and low-impact exercise that improves your circulation.

If you have varicose veins, your diet should be low in sodium and high in potassium and fiber. Drinking enough water will help keep your body healthy and capable of supplying necessary functions to your vital organs. Low-impact exercise can help strengthen your legs while increasing overall circulation and improving heart health.

Long-Term Risks of Untreated Varicose Veins

Ignoring varicose veins can lead to:

• Chronic venous insufficiency: This is when the veins can’t send blood back to the heart resulting to swelling, skin changes and ulcers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Untreated varicose veins increases the risk of blood clots forming in deeper veins which is a serious medical condition that can lead to life threatening complications like pulmonary embolism.
• Leg ulcers: These can form when the skin breaks down due to poor circulation and are hard to treat once they develop.

Explore Vein Treatment for Varicose Veins

To learn more about caring for varicose veins or to inquire about vein treatment, contact us at Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center.