What Doctor Treats Vein Problems?

Did you know that your circulatory system, which includes veins, arteries, and capillaries, contains 60,000 miles of blood vessels? Each of these powerful yet delicate vessels can experience injury, weakness, or failure to pump blood correctly. So, there are various types of doctors to treat circulatory health. Vein doctors focus primarily on veins, which are the vessels responsible for pumping blood back to the heart after it delivers oxygen throughout the body. Veins are susceptible to valve failure, blood clots, weakened walls, and vein disease, which leads to spider veins and varicose veins.

The answer to, “What is a vein doctor called?”, when only veins are involved, is: phlebologist. Those who specialize in surgical repair of veins and arteries are known as vascular surgeons. And those who study venous health extensively and offer minimally invasive procedures in addition to surgery are typically called vein specialists. Click HERE to schedule a consultation with our board certified vein specialists in New Jersey. Our Harvard-trained team has the highest level of expertise and offers the full range of treatments for veins.

If you’re seeking vein treatment, you might wonder, “What is a vein doctor called? And are they all equally qualified?” Here’s an explanation of titles and training.

Is a Vein Treatment Specialist Different from a Vein Doctor?

The title “vein treatment specialist” isn’t regulated by a governing body, so it’s important to determine the credentials behind anyone calling themselves a “specialist.” Legitimate vein treatment specialists are vein doctors with exceptional track records, board certification, and a wide array of treatments they’re adept at administering. These are vein doctors who’ve completed additional training, fellowships, and research on venous health. True vein specialists typically train other vein doctors on cutting-edge procedures and innovative technology that prevents unnecessary vein surgery.

Since the title “vein treatment specialist” is not a degree, like MD, or certification like ABVLM or ABMS board certified, some vein centers use the title for employees who aren’t doctors. The American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and the American Board of Medical Specialties only certify doctors of the highest caliber who voluntarily complete their rigorous process. These are the physicians who deserve the title of specialist, so look for board certified vein doctors.

Always inquire about your vein specialist’s training. At our award-winning vein center in New Jersey, all of our vein treatment specialists are certified diplomates, vein doctors, and leaders in the field of venous medicine. Each of our vein doctors is distinctly qualified to hold the title of vein treatment specialist.

Is a Varicose Vein Doctor the Same as a Vascular Surgeon?

If you have varicose veins, you might be wondering whether you need a vein doctor or a vascular surgeon. The introduction of minimally invasive vein treatments vastly reduced the number of patients who need a vascular surgeon for varicose veins. Most varicosities are now easily treated in a vascular office setting, like a vein treatment center, without surgery or hospitalization.

Our vein treatment doctors use methods like sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, and vein glue to alleviate varicose veins without surgery. If you have a varicose vein, disease is also likely, since Chronic Venous Insufficiency and other vein diseases affect over 70% of people who have varicose veins. Our New Jersey vein doctors conduct diagnosis and treatment in our office, typically in under 30 minutes. Schedule a consultation with our minimally invasive doctors before seeing a vascular surgeon.

Are Vascular Surgery & Varicose Veins Treatment the Same?

No, vascular surgery and varicose veins treatment aren’t synonymous. Most patients with varicose veins don’t need surgery. Varicosities respond remarkably well to treatments like ClariVein, VNUS Closure, Varithena, and VenaSeal, all of which treat the vein within the body, rather than surgically removing it. Some patients with blood clots or severe tortuosity in their veins might need surgery for their safety. But for the vast majority of people, non-surgical vein treatment is not only safer, it’s also faster, gentler, and more affordable.

Vascular surgery encompasses other blood vessels, like arteries, and is more commonly recommended for things like an aneurysm in the artery, atherosclerosis (hardening of an artery) or peripheral artery disease. If your arteries aren’t involved, a vascular surgeon is rarely needed.

Does Every Leg Vein Center Hire Vein Doctors?

No, some leg vein centers don’t require their employees to be vein doctors. It’s common for estheticians and dermatologists to offer vein treatment, despite a lack of training in venous medicine. One key difference is what they’re qualified to perform. At a leg vein center without vein doctors, options might include pulsed-dye lasers or topical lasers, and possibly sclerotherapy.

If you have varicose veins, spider veins in the legs (rather than the face), or symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (leg swelling, heaviness, cramping, restlessness, itchiness, discoloration), it’s important to choose a vein doctor. Leg vein centers without vein doctors can’t adequately address these concerns, since they don’t possess the right tools or training.

Do You Actually Need a Vein Doctor to Remove Varicose Veins?

Some patients wonder whether they need a vein doctor to remove varicose veins, or whether there are home remedies for varicosities. A varicose vein at the surface of your skin typically stems from valve failure in a deeper vein. This failure allows blood to leak backward, increasing endovenous pressure, which causes the vein to bulge and contort into a varicosity.

This is not something you can repair at home. However, the vein likely won’t need to be removed either. Our vein doctors treat varicosities with injections through pinpoint-sized incisions, so you can carry on with your life. There are steps you can take at home to reduce symptoms of varicose veins. These include: elevating your legs while at rest, changing positions often, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight, and not sitting or standing for too long. But only a vein doctor can eliminate varicose veins once they develop.

Is a Vein Doctor Trained in Vascular and General Surgery?

No, a vein doctor is not necessarily trained in vascular and general surgery, unless they hold multiple certifications. Vascular surgery and general surgery are two separate specialties, and are not part of obtaining a degree in venous medicine. However, some vein doctors are also vascular surgeons or doctors of internal medicine, and some general surgeons hold additional credentials as well. A cardiac surgeon is yet another specialty that differs from vascular surgery and venous medicine.

If you have vein issues, it’s not likely that you need a vascular surgeon, a general surgeon, or a heart surgeon. Tremendous advances have occurred in venous medicine in the last three decades, moving surgery from a first line of varicose vein treatment to a last option when other treatments aren’t feasible. See a vein doctor before agreeing to vascular surgery.

What Type of Doctor Treats Varicose Veins Without Surgery?

If you want to avoid surgery for varicose veins, choose a minimally invasive vein doctor. These physicians have specific training in techniques like sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, vein adhesives, and specialty rotating catheters that treat veins inside the body, rather than cutting them out.

These procedures are fast, painless, and frequently covered by insurance. They reduce the risk, discomfort, side effects, and downtime that are common with surgery. Doctors who only use surgery to treat veins are behind the science. Countless studies have proven that less invasive tactics are more efficient and effective against spider veins and varicose veins for most patients.

Should I Choose a Vascular or Vein Doctor?

If you have peripheral artery disease, heart disease, atherosclerosis, or an aneurysm in an artery, you should consult a vascular doctor who specializes in arteries. For vein issues like spider veins, varicose veins, Chronic Venous Insufficiency, blood clots, or DVT, visit a vein doctor instead. Veins and arteries work in tandem, but they have different jobs. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, while veins take deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Choose a vein doctor to ensure your blood is pumped efficiently back to your heart to collect the oxygen your cells need.

Who Are the Best Vein Treatment Doctors in New Jersey?

If you’re searching for “the best vein specialist near me,” or “the best vein doctor near me,” and feeling confused by the options, schedule a consultation with our esteemed vein specialists. Our vein doctors consistently receive commendation from patients and peers for their exceptional skills, standards, and results. Our vein center only employs Ivy League-trained physicians who graduated at the top of their class. Each of our vein specialists is board certified in multiple fields and our vein center is fully accredited by the IAC. You won’t find more qualified doctors or more innovative solutions anywhere else.