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Should I Be Taking Aspirin When I Am Told That My Veins And Arteries Are Not Fully Open?
Question: My ankles, up to mid calf on both legs look extremely tanned. I taught school and always believed that they were tanned due to standing on playground duty wearing cropped pants. I taught school for 38 years so it made sense to me. Before my knee replacement surgery on May 8, 2018, a nurse mentioned that my veins, arteries were not as open as they should be and that I should be taking a full aspirin every morning and evening. Is this true?
Brief Answer:
Taken once daily for arterial disease, not usually used for venous disease
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Venous disease and peripheral artery disease (poor arterial circulation) can cause hyperpigmentation (darkening) of the skin. If venous disease is present you may notice varicose or dilated veins in the legs or thighs.
If arterial disease is present, the pulses in the feet or ankles or at the knee joint may be weak or not detectable. Normally a person would check for those in the feet first, only if not detected would try for higher (ankles then knees) to see if there is also a problem at these sites.
Venous disease is treated differently from arterial disease. Typically aspirin is not used for venous disease. Venous disease occurs because there may have been a previous clot or a person may have a previous history of standing a lot or walking around a lot.
It is due to poor function of the valves in the veins. It is treated by elevating the legs when possible, use of compression stockings and surgery if the problem is severe.
Aspirin would help in arterial disease so if the pulses are weak or not detectable, then it would be helpful. Normally is taken once daily. The dose can be increased up to 325 mg.
Smoking cessation, controlling diabetes, controlling blood pressure and controlling cholesterol- would also be helpful as well.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions.
Regards
Taken once daily for arterial disease, not usually used for venous disease
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Venous disease and peripheral artery disease (poor arterial circulation) can cause hyperpigmentation (darkening) of the skin. If venous disease is present you may notice varicose or dilated veins in the legs or thighs.
If arterial disease is present, the pulses in the feet or ankles or at the knee joint may be weak or not detectable. Normally a person would check for those in the feet first, only if not detected would try for higher (ankles then knees) to see if there is also a problem at these sites.
Venous disease is treated differently from arterial disease. Typically aspirin is not used for venous disease. Venous disease occurs because there may have been a previous clot or a person may have a previous history of standing a lot or walking around a lot.
It is due to poor function of the valves in the veins. It is treated by elevating the legs when possible, use of compression stockings and surgery if the problem is severe.
Aspirin would help in arterial disease so if the pulses are weak or not detectable, then it would be helpful. Normally is taken once daily. The dose can be increased up to 325 mg.
Smoking cessation, controlling diabetes, controlling blood pressure and controlling cholesterol- would also be helpful as well.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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