Rethink Varicose Veins Campaign Launched to Raise Awareness of Venous Disease

April 18, 2012—The Rethink Varicose Veins educational campaign was recently launched by the American Venous Forum, the Society for Vascular Surgery, the American College of Phlebology, and corporate sponsor Covidien (Mansfield, MA).

Rethink Varicose Veins encourages people with varicose veins to learn more about their condition and speak to a vein specialist about treatment options. The campaign will inform patients of the dangers of varicose veins if left untreated, including the progression into chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

With support from Covidien, the Olympic Gold Medal–winning swimmer, Summer Sanders, is joining the campaign to share her experience with venous insufficiency and the treatment that improved her condition.

At the Web site www.rethinkvaricoseveins.com, the public can learn more about varicose veins, CVI, and treatment options; assess their risk with an online tool; find vein specialists trained in diagnosis and treatment; read more about Sanders's experience with vein disease and treatment; and share an e-card with friends or family members to encourage them to learn more about the condition.

The sponsors advised that of the 30 million Americans with varicose veins or CVI, only 1.9 million seek treatment annually. The vast majority remains undiagnosed and untreated, often thinking that their condition, though uncomfortable, is just a cosmetic problem or a natural part of the aging process.