Richard Evans Blog: Vein & Artery Health Insights

Most New Zealand health insurers cover treatments for varicose veins, ultrasound, skin lesions and arterial conditions, as long as certain medical criteria are met. Please check with your own insurer.

Are varicose veins ruining your enjoyment of running or playing sport? Wearing compression stockings and good shoes can help.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or EDS is inherited. The most common symptom is hypermobility or disjointedness. It has no cure but can be managed.

Chronic pelvic pain is experienced by up to 30% of women. We have a dedicated pelvic varicose veins nurse who can help with a diagnosis.

There are many misunderstandings or varicose veins myths about treatments. Here we look at the more common ones we hear about.

Here we look at manual lymphatic drainage, a practice that links to better recovery, especially for those with varicose veins and lymphoedema.

Pelvic congestion syndrome in men refers to symptomatic dilated veins in the male pelvis causing discomfort and pain. Compared with women it is uncommon but is worth considering as a cause of chronic pelvic pain or…

There are many conditions that may cause chronic pelvic pain. And patients may see many different specialists before pelvic varicose veins are diagnosed.

Prehabilitation – or prehab may help prepare your body before a treatment or surgery. It can help reduce the impact and improve the tolerance of surgical treatments. Enhancing a patient's physical condition may lead to…

Using sclerotherapy the surgeon treats small varicose veins and spider veins. It means injecting a solution, known as a sclerosant, right into the affected veins. The sclerosant irritates the lining of the blood vessel…

Leaking veins usually refer to a condition known as venous insufficiency. When the valves inside the veins are not working properly, blood can leak backward and pool in the veins. This can lead to symptoms such as…

Vascular surgeons are registered specialists with the New Zealand Medical Council. Mostly, they have done at least 10 years training since they became a doctor. They are specialists in artery and vein treatments. This…

Diabetes can lead to narrowing and hardening of the arteries in the legs, known as Peripheral Artery Disease or PAD. This can mean less blood flow to the legs and feet, causing pain, cramping and wounds to not heal…

The most common cause of carotid artery disease is the build up of fatty deposits (plaque) on the inner walls of the arteries. Over time, this plaque can narrow these arteries and therefore reduce blood flow to the…

Excessive sweating is called hyperhidrosis. It's more than what you would class as 'normal' sweating. People with hyperhidrosis sweat excessively even when they're not doing the things that would normally make you…

Raynaud’s disease affects the blood vessels, particularly the small arteries in the extremities, such as fingers and toes. It is characterised by episodes of vasospasm, where the blood vessels constrict, leading to…

Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are hard deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause significant pain and discomfort. The symptoms and treatments for kidney stones can vary depending on the size,…

The kidneys play a key role in maintaining our overall health. Kidney disease is a common and serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Understanding kidney disease Kidney disease, also known as renal…

Abnormal accumulation of fat in the legs and thighs characterises lipoedema. While more common in women, this chronic condition is increasingly also being seen in men. What are the symptoms? Lipoedema typically presents…

Varicose veins are a common condition that can cause a variety of symptoms, including skin eczema. Eczema is a skin condition characterised by red, itchy and scaly patches of skin. It can occur in individuals who have…

Varicose veins are a common condition affecting the legs and feet. Weakened valves in the veins that allow blood to flow backwards and pool in the legs are the main cause of varicose veins. This can lead to the veins…

Why do some women get them? Pregnancy is an exciting time for many women but it can also come with a host of physical changes and discomforts. A common issue that women experience during pregnancy is the development of…

Perforator veins connect the deep leg veins to the surface veins. Their purpose is to equalise the pressure between the inside and the surface of the legs. This is when the leg muscles are contracting and relaxing…

What is MALS? MALS is a condition where a diaphragm ligament (median arcuate ligament) narrows the main artery to the stomach, liver, spleen and pancreas. This is called the coeliac artery. It mostly will affect young…

Women are Different The risk of leg artery disease, also called peripheral artery disease (PAD) is increasing. This is especially so with increasing levels of diabetes and obesity. Other important risk factors are age,…

What is TOS? The arm vein, artery and nerves all pass between the collar bone and the bone of the first rib. When one or more of these gets compressed between these bones, people can get vein or artery blockage or nerve…

Vulval varicose veins affect the vulva, labia and perineum. For many women, they start in pregnancy and may either improve or get worse after they’ve had their babies. In some women, the cause may be conditions that do…

What is Artificial Intelligence? AI tells computers to do jobs that people would normally do. For example, AI can read x-rays. Machine learning (ML) uses AI to improve the results of these jobs.

Obese people often have leg swelling. This arises from two main mechanisms. The first is high blood pressure in the veins, which causes a build up of fluid in the legs. The second is reduced mobility because of…

A leg ulcer occurs when there is a loss of skin cover that lasts for longer than is normal. What is the scale of the problem? Leg ulcers are an increasing problem in New Zealand, affecting about 1.5% of the population.

Pelvic veins are varicose veins located around the uterus and ovaries. Caused by abnormal pelvic veins, these veins allow blood to pool in the pelvis, rather than being returned to the heart. Risk factors include…

Surface blood clots are a common condition and affect up to 57% of patients with varicose veins. Investigations for diagnosis start with an ultrasound scan.

Varicose vein treatments @ Richard Evans Vascular involve a medical adhesive called Venaseal. Recovery is quick and the treatment minimally invasive.

Lipoedema often runs in families. It can be a misdiagnosed condition, often as obesity.

Spider veins may cause you to be self conscious about how they look. They may be cosmetic but may also be an indication of underlying varicose veins.

For people with PTS – post-thrombatic syndrome – wearing compression stockings brings relief from symptoms caused by swelling, such as aching and heaviness.