Blog Archive

You might not think twice about a wound on your skin because your body often takes care of itself and heals. But people with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, or vein disease have to put extra effort into wound care. Professional treatments and home care help, but a key tool to help...

More than 1 billion adults worldwide live with hypertension, or high blood pressure. Even more scary, 46% of people don't even know they have the condition. A hypertension diagnosis isn't the end of the world, but it is a wake-up call to start improving your health. Living with high blood...

Strokes are the fifth most prevalent cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability. A stroke is a dangerous health condition that affects blood flow to the brain. The good news is that about 80% of strokes are preventable through healthy lifestyle habits and regular...

Heart disease was responsible for 1 in 5 deaths in the United States in 2022. That number is astonishing and shows just how dangerous heart disease is for your health. Unfortunately, you’re more at risk for heart disease if it runs in your family. You can't change genetics, but you...

Have you noticed large, twisty veins appearing on your legs? You may be dealing with varicose veins, which aren't just a cosmetic problem. They could be a sign that something bigger is going on in the body. Swollen and discolored veins in your legs, feet, and ankles aren't usually dangerous....

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a dangerous condition that affects every aspect of your health. It's highly prevalent, affecting about 1.28 billion people worldwide. What's even scarier is that many people with high blood pressure don't know it. Untreated hypertension can lead to severe health conditions like a stroke...

You may have heard that heart disease is the leading cause of death among adults in the United States. In 2021, one out of every five deaths was due to heart disease — an astonishing number. With heart disease being so prevalent, you should learn about your heart health to...

Many people have scars on their bodies from childhood injuries or previous surgical procedures, yet no one wants a scar, no matter how big or small. Scarring is an unfortunate part of the body's healing process, but it’s sometimes preventable. If you've recently suffered a deep wound or cut, you're...

Aching legs, stiffness, and a heavy feeling aren't uncommon, especially as you age. But you shouldn't wake up every day feeling like your legs weigh 100 pounds each. Leg heaviness is a symptom you shouldn't ignore, as it could indicate your veins aren't working correctly. Venous insufficiency is a real...

Getting older means changes in your body that you may not like. Age spots, wrinkles, and spider veins are a few of the issues you can expect. Spider veins may be especially bothersome if they appear on your face, but should you worry? Spider veins aren't usually a sign of...

Keeping your heart healthy is essential for your health and wellness, and it all starts with your diet. Eating a balanced diet full of healthy and whole foods is crucial, but so is watching how much salt you consume. Many prepackaged foods are loaded with sodium, which provides flavor and...

A trip to a fast food joint might be just what you're craving — easy and convenient. But it's not a good choice for your heart or overall health. Unfortunately, many favorite sugary, salty, and fatty foods are terrible for your heart. Your diet plays a significant role in your...

You probably don't think about your heart beating because it's just something your body does automatically. But you likely notice every beat when something doesn't seem right with your heart. Feeling your heart skip a beat can be scary, especially if it's something you've never felt before. Although palpitations or...

High cholesterol is more common than you might think: Two out of every five adults live with the condition. It's sometimes called a “silent killer” because it often shows no signs or symptoms. When you have high cholesterol, the most significant risk to your health is a heart attack or...

The heart muscle is a vital component of the human body; it pumps oxygenated blood through a network of arteries to the essential organs and tissues. \When your heart isn't working correctly, you could face dangerous health complications. Heart disease describes various conditions that affect the valves or functioning of...

Have you ever noticed swelling in your feet after a long walk or on your hand after a bee stings you? Swelling is typically your body's response to illness or injury and, in some cases, chronic health conditions. If you notice swelling, something is going on in your body, causing...

The heart is the most important muscle in your body because it pumps oxygenated blood to every cell and organ. When your heart functions normally, the rest of your body can, too. But if your heartbeat is irregular, it can lead to such problems as shortness of breath, chest discomfort,...

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, and they’re twice as likely to suffer a debilitating stroke than those without diabetes. Diabetes is a severe chronic illness that affects how your body uses glucose for energy. Over time, it affects other aspects of your health, including your blood vessels and nervous system. If...

Circulation problems lead to various issues, especially in your legs. Whether you live with diabetic neuropathy or have varicose veins, blood can pool in your legs, leading to multiple complications, including venous stasis dermatitis. Without the proper treatment, venous stasis dermatitis leads to leg ulcers, which can cause significant problems...

Your blood pressure is the force of your blood pumping against your artery walls. Since this is High Blood Pressure Education Month, we’d like to discuss the different blood pressure types and the connection to strokes. Living with high blood pressure, or hypertension, puts you at risk for serious complications,...

Blood clots are scary, especially when they develop in the deep veins in your legs. A deep vein thrombosis, or DVT,  is more prone to happen after a surgical procedure or an injury to your leg, but there are other risk factors. If you're concerned about a DVT, our Vein,...

When you're nearing menopause, your body goes through many changes due to extreme changes in your hormones. Although night sweats, hot flashes, and mood swings may seem like the worst aspects of menopause, heart disease can creep up on you unexpectedly. Our Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute team understands the...

You've likely suffered a cut or scrape at some point. These wounds heal quickly and don't usually become infected or problematic. But if you have a more significant wound from a procedure or an injury, proper care is essential to avoid complications. When you have an open wound that's not...

When you have varicose veins, you may want to hide them under pants, so no one sees them. But your appearance isn't the only issue these veins cause. You can also have pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment for varicose veins that has many benefits over other...

Spider and varicose veins are often confused with one another, although they're entirely different conditions. You may notice tiny blue or red veins on your legs or face if you have spider veins. The good news is that spider veins are usually only a cosmetic issue. They rarely signal a more...

As a crucial part of your body and your health, your heart pumps blood to every organ in your body and gives your brain the necessary nutrients to survive. Your heart can be affected by a variety of conditions, including arrhythmias. These conditions vary from mild to severe and in some...

Your heart is one of the most vital organs in your body. It pumps oxygenated blood to your body so you can function and live. So when heart disease strikes, it’s detrimental to your well-being. Certain things out of your control put you at risk for heart disease, while others...

Normally when you cut yourself, your body begins to act immediately, clotting your blood and working to heal the wound. Sometimes, though, certain factors cause your body’s response to be delayed. This can cause chronic wounds that don’t ever seem to get better. Luckily, our team at the Vein, Heart,...

Your veins and arteries are two main components of your circulatory system. They allow blood to flow through your body and back to your heart. Without your veins, you couldn’t survive. But vein health isn’t something you think about until it’s too late.  There are several vein disorders that affect your body,...

Heart disease describes a number of conditions that affect the health of your heart. It can lead to arrhythmias or be the result of congenital defects in the heart itself. Genetics play a role in heart disease, but lifestyle changes can decrease your risk of heart problems. At the Vein,...

There are several different diagnostic tools that we use to diagnose issues in your heart and vascular system. Some of these tests look at your cardiac rhythm, while an echocardiogram checks out the chambers and vessels in your heart.  At the Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute, our team offers state-of-the-art testing and treatments...

Have you ever noticed visible, bulging veins on your legs or feet? If so, you could be dealing with varicose veins. Circulation issues in your legs can result in large, twisted veins that aren’t just an eyesore. They’re also painful and itchy in some cases.  Compression therapy can improve your circulation and...

Your heart is one of the most vital organs in your body, and heart disease can affect your overall quality of life, even causing permanent disability. Knowing the signs of heart disease can save your life. At the Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute, we help you understand the signs of heart disease. Dr. Hesham...

A change in your heartbeat is certainly scary. While sometimes it’s a result of a benign issue, other times it may signal something more dangerous.  A cardiac rhythm test helps your doctor see what’s going on with your heartbeat so you can get proper treatment. At the Vein, Heart, and...

Stroke is the fifth most common cause of death in the United States, but you don’t have to be a statistic. You can reduce your risk of stroke with some lifestyle changes. At the Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute, our team is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to conditions that...

When you’re having heart problems, it’s important that you get tests and treatment to keep your heart as healthy as possible. An echocardiogram is one of the tests that your doctor may use to see how your heart is working and determine the overall health of it. But tests can...

Depending on its severity and your level of health, a wound may take a few weeks or longer to heal. But did you know that you can speed up and improve wound healing simply by watching what you eat?  At the Vein Heart and Vascular Institute, we help you get...

When your heart doesn’t feel right, it’s a very scary experience. Whether you’re experiencing pain in your chest or your heart seems to be beating so fast you can’t count the beats, your nerves may be on edge.  But did you know that anxiety can mimic heart problems, especially a...

If you have a wound, whether from an accident or a surgical incision, you must take proper care of it for your own well-being. Proper care of your wound helps not only keep the scarring to a minimum, but also prevents dangerous infections. At the Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute,...

Varicose veins and spider veins may seem like a similar problem, but they’re actually quite different. While spider veins aren’t something you want to see on your legs, they’re not a danger to your health.  But varicose veins are a bigger issue, because they could be a sign of a...

Of all the medical problems you could have, heart disease is one of the worst. When you have heart disease, you’re at risk for many different health problems, some of which can be fatal. At the Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute, our skilled team can help you determine your risks...

You might think of a stroke as something that can’t happen until you get older, but that’s just not true. There are a lot of factors that put you at a higher risk of suffering from a stroke. But you don’t have to settle for that; stroke prevention is possible...

If you spend a lot of time on your feet, your legs probably ache by the end of the day. But you might also notice some veins that look enlarged. These veins might be slightly painful, or you may not even notice they’re there.  Either way, varicose veins could pose...

Because hormonal birth control is so common, you may not even think of side effects. But anytime you have excess hormones in your body for an extended period of time — no matter what the need — they can be detrimental to your health.  In fact, hormonal birth control could...

Your heart is vital for your overall health. If it doesn’t work properly, you could become gravely ill. Certain factors that affect your heart health aren’t changeable, while some lifestyle modifications help greatly reduce your risk for heart problems.  But how do you know for sure what your risk of...

Do you have a deep cut or surgical incision that isn't healing as quickly as you'd like? Did you know that many factors contribute to the healing process? Certain conditions also lead to slower healing wounds. At the Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute, our team has the solution for all...

Have you ever had the feeling that your heart skipped a beat? If this is a common occurrence, you could have heart palpitations or even an irregular heartbeat. And you might need a device called a pacemaker to continuously monitor your heart rhythm. At the Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute,...

Most of us have scars with childhood stories behind them. Skinned knees, scraped elbows, and bumped foreheads are a normal part of life. By the time you’re an adult, those childhood wounds are long healed, even if you have some puckered skin to show for them.  But what happens when...

For whatever reason, the public seems to be a bit more laissez faire about heart disease in women than men. Perhaps it’s because TV news and Hollywood have portrayed heart disease more in men, or maybe it’s simply because women tend to live longer than men. Whatever the case, it’s...

You step out of the shower and begin your nightly routine. First come facial serums and moisturizers, and then comes body lotion. As you moisturize your legs, you stop suddenly.  “What’s this?” you ask, tracing a series of thin, red, web-like lines just below your knee. You probably just bumped...

While you can probably rattle off a list of types of heart disease, most people aren’t as familiar with vascular diseases, such as peripheral artery disease or vasculitis.  One vascular condition you may not have heard of yet is May-Thurner syndrome, a potentially dangerous condition that involves the veins and...

Heart disease is so common in the United States that it’s become casual. This can be extremely dangerous, considering heart disease kills more people in this country than any other illness or disease. It’s not something to take lightly.  Our team at Vein, Heart and Vascular Institute, led by cardiologist...

If you’re generally healthy, most minor wounds heal on their own. If you get a small cut or scrape, you may not think twice. Clean it up, bandage it, and boom — it’s gone within a matter of days.  But at Vein, Heart and Vascular Institute in Florida, Hesham Fakhri,...

Whether you’re seeking varicose vein treatment for aesthetic or for medical reasons (both of which are entirely valid), you’ve probably wondered whether those big, twisty veins ever go away on their own.  That’s a good question, and it’s kind of tricky to answer. Luckily, Hesham Fakhri, MD, and our team...

Contrary to popular belief, not all heart attacks begin and end with the patient clutching their chest, face twisted in pain. In fact, heart attacks aren’t even the only kind of heart disease you should be aware of.  The best thing you can do for your family (and yourself) in...

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. It has been for many years and doesn’t really show signs of being replaced. The first step in preventing heart disease is arming yourself with the facts. You should know: What heart disease is What the symptoms look...

The COVID-19 crisis has caused dramatic changes to our everyday life, including the ability to maintain routine or non-urgent medical appointments. But don’t worry. You don’t have to put-off care or getting your questions answered. We are offering Telehealth visits. Just call our office to set yours up. How Telehealth...

When people hear the word “pacemaker,” they often think of a frail, sick person on bedrest or confined to a limited life. Thinking that only sick people get pacemakers couldn’t be further from the truth, though: Famous entertainers, public figures, and even professional athletes have had pacemakers.    People with...

Heart disease collectively refers to a range of conditions that affect the way your heart and circulatory system work. Also called cardiovascular disease, heart disease includes coronary and peripheral artery diseases, heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias), genetic heart defects (congenital heart disease), congestive heart failure, and more. At Vein, Heart, and...

If you’ve ever experienced an abnormally high heart rate, you know that it can feel scary. It can feel like you’re sprinting at full speed when, in reality, you aren’t even moving. On the flip side, you may have experienced a slow heartbeat and may not have noticed.  These two...

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a type of cardiovascular disease that affects the blood vessels in your extremities, most often the legs. It’s a common condition, affecting 8-12 million Americans each year.  PAD develops when your limbs don’t get enough blood flow, resulting in pain, cramping, numbness, weakness, sores, coldness,...

Are you moving past youth and into that age category where older is wiser but riskier due to potential health issues? Or maybe it’s your parents who are rushing ahead to the senior lifestyle they’ve worked so hard to accomplish. Either way, you’ve probably been warned about the increasing risk...

Varicose veins appear as the gnarly, dark purple and blue veins that puff and twist around your legs. They can make you feel self-conscious, especially if you’re wearing a swimsuit, shorts, or a mini. Boosting confidence in your appearance is a good reason to get these veins treated, but it’s...

Spider veins and varicose veins are both forms of venous insufficiency (or venous disease), but they are not the same condition, and each condition cannot develop into the other. These two conditions are commonly mistaken for being the same vein disease. It is crucial to know the difference between these...

One of the best ways to prevent or slow the progression of varicose and spider veins,without medical intervention is to simply change your diet. Studies have shown that by simply adding key vitamins and nutrients to your daily regimen of food can make the difference. Your vascular system has over...

If you are experiencing issues with your legs feeling tired, heavy, weak, achy, cramping, you have restless leg syndrome or have pain on a constant or ongoing basis you may have a venous insufficiency issue. After a diagnosis is determined, several treatment options will be presented. One of those is...

What Are Varicose Veins?Spider veins and varicose veins are both forms of venous insufficiency (or venous disease), but they are not the same condition, and each condition cannot develop into the other. These two conditions are commonly mistaken for being the same vein disease. It is crucial to know the...