What is the difference between PAD & Varicose Veins?

Is there a difference between PAD & varicose veins, and are there tests to confirm? Also can you have Venous closure surgery done if you have PAD?

Answers from doctors (6)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Feb 22, 2018

Varicose veins are the larger ropey looking veins on the surface of the skin. They are most commonly associated with venous insuffiency (CVI) — backflow in saphneous veins. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is decreased blood flow in the arteries and has several causes. Narrowing of the lumen. Both can be diagnosed using ultrasound. In most cases where there is CVI and PAD sealing the saphenous vein can be performed (with laser EVLA or RF Venous Closure). However, you should be treated by a Board Certified Vascular trained surgeon with experience in these fields.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Varicose veins are the larger ropey looking veins on the surface of the skin. They are most commonly associated with venous insuffiency (CVI) — backflow in saphneous veins. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is decreased blood flow in the arteries and has several causes. Narrowing of the lumen. Both can be diagnosed using ultrasound. In most cases where there is CVI and PAD sealing the saphenous vein can be performed (with laser EVLA or RF Venous Closure). However, you should be treated by a Board Certified Vascular trained surgeon with experience in these fields.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jun 03, 2012

PAD is peripheral arterial disease and is a disease process affecting arteries. It is a result of many factors including hypertension, high cholesterol, genetics, smoking, lack of exercise and even stress. Varicose veins are dilated veins which appear usually in the legs and look like grapes. They are a result of valves of the venous system malfunctioning and are due to genetics, aging, pregnancies and being on feet for long periods of time. Physical exam and ultrasound can confirm these. Whether or not a closure procedure can be done in the presence of PAD depends on the severity of the PAD.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

PAD is peripheral arterial disease and is a disease process affecting arteries. It is a result of many factors including hypertension, high cholesterol, genetics, smoking, lack of exercise and even stress. Varicose veins are dilated veins which appear usually in the legs and look like grapes. They are a result of valves of the venous system malfunctioning and are due to genetics, aging, pregnancies and being on feet for long periods of time. Physical exam and ultrasound can confirm these. Whether or not a closure procedure can be done in the presence of PAD depends on the severity of the PAD.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Aug 22, 2010

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) usually refers to atherosclerosis in the walls of arteries causing blockage which can manifest as pain with walking, fatigue in the calves with walking, poorly healing wounds, leg ulcers, or severe pain in the feet. Varicose vein and venous insufficiency are very different problems. A skilled physician usually can differentiate venous disease from arterial disease very quickly with a patient history and clinical exam. Some patients will have both arterial and venous disorders and some arterial testing may be in order. Sometimes the arterial testing is measurement of blood pressures or flow at different levels in the legs. At other times, arterial ultrasound studies may be of value.
VNUS Clsure procedures and LASER procedures can be done on patients with arterial occlusive disease as long as the blood flow is adequate for healing, but should be performed only after a careful evaluation of the patient for adequacy of arterial blood flow to the tissues.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) usually refers to atherosclerosis in the walls of arteries causing blockage which can manifest as pain with walking, fatigue in the calves with walking, poorly healing wounds, leg ulcers, or severe pain in the feet. Varicose vein and venous insufficiency are very different problems. A skilled physician usually can differentiate venous disease from arterial disease very quickly with a patient history and clinical exam. Some patients will have both arterial and venous disorders and some arterial testing may be in order. Sometimes the arterial testing is measurement of blood pressures or flow at different levels in the legs. At other times, arterial ultrasound studies may be of value.
VNUS Clsure procedures and LASER procedures can be done on patients with arterial occlusive disease as long as the blood flow is adequate for healing, but should be performed only after a careful evaluation of the patient for adequacy of arterial blood flow to the tissues.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Jul 28, 2010

Yes there is a difference. Arteries supply blood to the extremities from the heart, while veins drain blood from the extremities and returns the blood to the heart. PAD is peripheral arterial disease which means there are blockages in the vessels supplying blood to the limbs. Varicose veins are related to venous insufficiency (veins). As for VNUS closure procedures, it depends on how severe the PAD is.

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Answered by Miller Vein

Yes there is a difference. Arteries supply blood to the extremities from the heart, while veins drain blood from the extremities and returns the blood to the heart. PAD is peripheral arterial disease which means there are blockages in the vessels supplying blood to the limbs. Varicose veins are related to venous insufficiency (veins). As for VNUS closure procedures, it depends on how severe the PAD is.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Published on Jul 22, 2010

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) usually refers to atherosclerosis in the walls of arteries causing blockage which can manifest as pain with walking, fatigue in the calves with walking, poorly healing wounds, leg ulcers, or severe pain in the feet. Varicose vein and venous insufficiency are very different problems. A skilled physician usually can differentiate venous disease from arterial disease very quickly with a patient history and clinical exam. Some patients will have both arterial and venous disorders and some arterial testing may be in order. Sometimes the arterial testing is measurement of blood pressures or flow at different levels in the legs. At other times, arterial ultrasound studies may be of value.
VNUS Clsure procedures and LASER procedures can be done on patients with arterial occlusive disease as long as the blood flow is adequate for healing, but should be performed only after a careful evaluation of the patient for adequacy of arterial blood flow to the tissues.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/755_1499906765.jpg
Answered by VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) usually refers to atherosclerosis in the walls of arteries causing blockage which can manifest as pain with walking, fatigue in the calves with walking, poorly healing wounds, leg ulcers, or severe pain in the feet. Varicose vein and venous insufficiency are very different problems. A skilled physician usually can differentiate venous disease from arterial disease very quickly with a patient history and clinical exam. Some patients will have both arterial and venous disorders and some arterial testing may be in order. Sometimes the arterial testing is measurement of blood pressures or flow at different levels in the legs. At other times, arterial ultrasound studies may be of value.
VNUS Clsure procedures and LASER procedures can be done on patients with arterial occlusive disease as long as the blood flow is adequate for healing, but should be performed only after a careful evaluation of the patient for adequacy of arterial blood flow to the tissues.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Jul 22, 2010

PAD is peripheral Arterial Disease. and is completely different than Varicose Veins which are problems with the veins in the legs. It may be ill advised to have VNUS closure if you have PAD ask your provider.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

PAD is peripheral Arterial Disease. and is completely different than Varicose Veins which are problems with the veins in the legs. It may be ill advised to have VNUS closure if you have PAD ask your provider.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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