Firefighters: Higher Risk of Venous Insufficiency and Vascular Disease

One might think that the biggest cause of injury among American firefighters would be burns and collapsing structures. However, more than just skin and bones, it is the firefighter’s vascular system that is at risk.

There are a number of reasons why firefighters are especially susceptible to vascular injury, and why they in particular need to consult with a qualified vein specialist for diagnosis and treatment of all dysfunctions that affect the heart and blood vessels, including Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) and varicose veins.

Firefighters are Pushed to the Limit

The schedule of a firefighter is highly unpredictable. Shift work, itself, is disruptive to sleep and eating schedules, and can lead to generalized fatigue and difficult digestion. Unless an individual is motivated, the sometimes long periods of relative inactivity between fire calls can lead to weight gain and decreased levels of fitness; the incidence of overweight and obesity among firefighters is high. And adrenaline-drenched episodes of fire fighting push firefighters to the limit, physically, psychologically and emotionally. Working in the blistering heat, in heavy protective gear, hauling heavy equipment over long distances causes firefighters’ bodies to overheat and dehydrate, their blood vessels to dilate and become less efficient, and their blood more likely to coagulate easily.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency is Common among Firefighters

All of these are factors in the development of cardiovascular disease, including sudden cardiac events. Even more common among firefighters, though, is the development of Chronic Venous Insufficiency. While CVI is not likely to be fatal, it will adversely affect quality of life, and one’s ability to perform firefighting duties. Among other CVI symptoms, sufferers will note that their legs feel heavy, achy, itchy, and tired. Left untreated,Chronic Venous Insufficiency can progress, leading to swelling in the legs, feet and ankles, leg ulcers that don’t heal easily, and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

The good news is that there is help. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of CVI, consider consulting a qualified vein specialist as soon as possible.

Using thorough examination techniques and duplex ultrasonography, a qualified vein specialist will be able to assess and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs. And there are minimally invasive techniques available that can help optimize your vascular health, with minimal discomfort, and in very little time have you back up and saving the world again, one burning building at a time.

I have spider veins that hurt!

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | May 9, 2019 | Comments Off on I have spider veins that hurt!

Question: I have spider veins on my legs and they really hurt to the touch. Can that be dangerous to my health? Answer: In the large picture, pain associated with spider veins is not life threatening.  It would be worthwhile to have an evaluation by a qualified provider to see if these spider veins are…

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I have had a blood clot before and I am worried.

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Apr 25, 2019 | Comments Off on I have had a blood clot before and I am worried.
blood clot

I am scheduled for a right leg radiofrequency ablation. I have venous insufficiency in the saphenous vein and have had a blood clot before. Question: In 2006, I underwent an artificial lumbar disk implant. This failed causing artificial disk to move into the spine. While surgeon removed the artificial disk implant, he nicked the liac…

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Sclerotherapy before endovenous laser vein treatment?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Apr 21, 2019 | Comments Off on Sclerotherapy before endovenous laser vein treatment?

My doctor said my vein is too large to have sclerotherapy performed first, is this true? Question: I have a few visible spider veins on my lower leg that I want treated with foam sclerotherapy. However, the doctor wants me to do endovenous laser treatment before the sclerotherapy. According to him, my vein is way…

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Same pain, new location

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Mar 21, 2019 | Comments Off on Same pain, new location
leg pain at night

I’m having the same pain that I had before my ablation procedure, except it is in a different new location. How long will this go on? Question:  It’s been 2 months since my GSV endovenous laser ablation procedure. I have the same pain that I had before the procedure, except it’s in a new location.…

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Circular wound with redness

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Mar 14, 2019 | Comments Off on Circular wound with redness

I recently had the VNUS procedure done (both legs, multiple veins).  Is it normal to have open, circular wound with redness and slight weepiness? Question: All of the other areas are healing nicely, but the area on my shin (a bit off center) has a much larger wound. It has been quite red in the…

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Compression socks make my legs hurt more, is this normal?

By Jason Babcock, MBA ACRP-CP | Mar 2, 2019 | Comments Off on Compression socks make my legs hurt more, is this normal?

Question: How big of a size do compression stockings come in?  Answer:  Compression socks should be comfortable and supportive. If the stockings are making your symptoms worse, it is likely that they do not fit you correctly.  There are numerous companies that make standard sized compression stockings. Some make 7 to 8 different sizes.  Additionally,…

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Get rid of my varicose veins

By Jason Babcock, MBA ACRP-CP | Feb 12, 2019 | Comments Off on Get rid of my varicose veins
get rid of my veins

Question: WHAT CAN I DO TO GET RID OF MY VARICOSE VEINS? Answer: There are numerous options to treat varicose veins. Some are considered medically necessary, while others are strictly cosmetic. Larger veins are treated in a myriad of ways depending on the provider you consult with and their proficiency in a given intervention. The…

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I injured my varicose vein over my knee, what should I do?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Feb 12, 2019 | Comments Off on I injured my varicose vein over my knee, what should I do?
injured varicose vein

Question: I knelt down the other day and injured the large varicose vein over my knee. It bruised quickly and felt very sore, so I put a pressure bandage on it. Since then, the vein bruise has spread and is now about 12″ up my thigh. It is very red, and I’m not sure what…

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What Treatment Options Are Available For My CVI?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Jan 15, 2019 | Comments Off on What Treatment Options Are Available For My CVI?
Compression Socks

Question: What treatment options are available for my CVI? I can’t sit or stand in one place and I have heavy, aching legs all of the time. I started to have achy, heavy leg feelings about a month after I sprained my right ankle and scratched my left knee last April. I was diagnosed with…

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Q&A: During my EVLT, I could smell and taste a slight “burning” odor plus I was dizzy during my procedure. Is that normal?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Jan 10, 2019 | Comments Off on Q&A: During my EVLT, I could smell and taste a slight “burning” odor plus I was dizzy during my procedure. Is that normal?

Question: During the EVLT laser procedure I really didn’t feel well, especially when the laser was on. I felt dizzy and the smell of “burning” freaked me out. Even after I was done, it took me couple hours to feel normal again. Is that normal? Answer: The “odor” and sometimes a taste is normal during…

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About Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC

Jilanne is Phoenix Metros only Doctorate Nurse Practitioner that has been trained extensively by a Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeon, an Interventional Radiologist, and an Interventional Cardiologist. Dr. Rose is highly regarded by patients and physicians who seek her out because of her expertise in vein disease, her commitment to compassionate care, and her excellent success rates. As a peripheral vascular specialist that has performed well over 10,000 vascular interventions, Dr. Rose is dedicated to helping patients achieve a pain free, healthy and happy life.