Vascular Institute of Virginia

10/02/2026

❌ MYTH:
“Leg pain, swelling, urinary changes, pelvic pressure, or other new symptoms are just part of getting older.”
✅ FACT:
While our bodies change with age, persistent or disruptive symptoms are worth asking about.

As we wrap up Healthy Aging Month, remember that healthy aging isn't about ignoring changes. It's about paying attention to your body, staying informed, and knowing when something deserves a closer look.

Symptoms worth discussing with a healthcare provider may include:
☑️ Persistent leg pain or aching
☑️ Swelling in the legs or ankles
☑️ Visible or uncomfortable varicose veins
☑️ Pelvic pain or pressure
☑️ Frequent or nighttime urination
☑️ Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
☑️ Changes that make it harder to stay active or enjoy everyday life

These symptoms can have many different causes and don't necessarily indicate a vascular condition. But an appropriate evaluation can help determine what's happening and whether treatment may be needed.

At VIV, many of the conditions we evaluate have minimally invasive treatment options, including care for vein disease, peripheral vascular disease, uterine fibroids, enlarged prostate/BPH, and other vascular concerns.

Healthy aging isn't about accepting every symptom. It's about getting the information you need to make informed decisions about your health. Learn more: https://zurl.co/BLGXS

Your symptoms are worth asking about. 💙

09/30/2026

Your Heart Doesn't Work Alone ❤️

Your heart may get most of the attention when we talk about cardiovascular health—but it relies on an entire network of blood vessels to move blood throughout your body.

That's why vascular health is part of heart health.

Your arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from your heart. Your veins help return blood back toward it. When something interferes with healthy circulation, your body may give you clues.

Pay attention to changes such as:
🦵 Leg pain or cramping when walking
🦶 Foot or leg wounds that aren't healing normally
⬆️ Persistent leg or ankle swelling
🩸 Changes in the color or temperature of your feet or legs
💙 Legs that regularly feel achy or unusually heavy

There are many possible causes for these symptoms, so don't try to diagnose a vascular condition from a checklist. Instead, think of persistent changes as a reason to ask questions and get answers.

As we wrap up September and PAD Awareness Month, World Heart Day gives us an important reminder:

Taking care of your heart also means paying attention to your circulation. 💙

09/28/2026

‼️Feeling pelvic pressure or heaviness that just doesn’t seem to go away?

It can be easy to dismiss pelvic pressure as bloating, changes in your cycle, or simply something you have to live with. But persistent pelvic pressure can have many causes—and uterine fibroids are one possibility.

Fibroids may be associated with symptoms such as:
☑️ Pelvic pressure or heaviness
☑️ Heavy or prolonged periods
☑️ Abdominal fullness or bloating
☑️ Frequent urination
☑️ Lower back discomfort
☑️ Pain during s*x

Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have fibroids. An appropriate evaluation can help determine what is causing them.

💙For women diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids, Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) may be a treatment option. UFE is a minimally invasive, uterus-sparing procedure that reduces blood flow to fibroids, allowing them to shrink over time.

👉Persistent pressure is worth asking about. You don’t have to normalize symptoms that are affecting your everyday life. Learn more: https://zurl.co/OL2L7

09/25/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Angela! 🎂

Help us wish a very Happy Birthday to Angela, our Lead RN in Woodbridge! Her compassion, clinical expertise, and commitment to our patients and team are truly appreciated.

We hope your birthday is filled with plenty of reasons to celebrate! 🥳

09/23/2026

MYTH VS. FACT: How Many Times Did You Wake Up Last Night?

❌ MYTH: “Waking up several times a night to urinate is just part of getting older.”

✅ FACT: While urinary changes can become more common with age, repeatedly waking during the night to urinate can also be associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate.

Other BPH symptoms may include:

✓ Frequent or urgent urination
✓ A weak or interrupted urine stream
✓ Difficulty starting urination
✓ Feeling like the bladder hasn't completely emptied
✓ Waking multiple times during the night to urinate

These symptoms can have several possible causes, so proper evaluation matters.

For some men whose symptoms are caused by BPH, Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) may be a minimally invasive treatment option. PAE reduces blood flow to the enlarged prostate, allowing it to shrink over time and potentially helping relieve urinary symptoms.

Don't automatically blame disrupted sleep on getting older. Get answers about what's waking you up. https://zurl.co/AbaCb

09/22/2026

🎉 Happy 5-Year Work Anniversary, Daphne!

Please join us in celebrating Daphne and five years with VIV! As one of our Registered Vascular Technologists, Daphne’s expertise and dedication play an important role in the exceptional care we provide our patients.

Thank you, Daphne, for five years of commitment to our patients and Team VIV. We’re grateful to have you! 💙

09/19/2026

"Staff is very friendly I would recommend this facility April and Sarah were awesome .not sure of the name who did my sonogram on my legs They all worked as a team and I got great results it came back normal I like the fact that results came back quickly and was explained and all went well" says Debrea on Google

★★★★★ Staff is very friendly I would recommend this facility April and Sarah were awesome .not sure of the name who did my sonogram on my legs They all worked as a team and I got great results it came back normal I like the fact that results came back quickly and was explained and all went...

09/16/2026

💡Fibroid Symptom Checklist: Does Any of This Sound Familiar?

Uterine fibroids don’t cause symptoms for everyone. But when they do, the signs can sometimes become such a regular part of life that they start to feel “normal.”

Common symptoms associated with uterine fibroids can include:

☑️ Heavy or prolonged periods
☑️ Pelvic pain or pressure
☑️ Abdominal fullness or bloating
☑️ Frequent urination
☑️ Lower back discomfort
☑️ Pain during s*x
☑️ Constipation
☑️ Fatigue that may be related to heavy menstrual bleeding and anemia

Having one or more of these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have fibroids. Many conditions can cause similar symptoms, which is why getting the right evaluation matters.

For women diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids, Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) may be an option. UFE is a minimally invasive, uterus-sparing procedure that reduces the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink over time.

You don't have to normalize symptoms that are interfering with your everyday life.

If your periods, pelvic pressure, or other symptoms are affecting how you feel or what you can do, consider talking with a healthcare provider about getting answers. Learn more: https://zurl.co/odQb8

09/14/2026

💡Why Do My Legs Feel Heavy at the End of the Day?

If your legs feel tired, achy, swollen, or unusually heavy by the evening, it may be more than just a long day.

Leg heaviness can have several possible causes, including problems with how blood is moving through the veins. For some people, symptoms become more noticeable after long periods of standing or sitting and may improve with rest or elevation.

Other symptoms that can occur with vein problems include:

🔴Aching or throbbing
🔴Swelling around the ankles
🔴Visible varicose veins
🔴Nighttime cramping
🔴Itching or skin changes
🔴Tired or restless legs

These symptoms can have many causes, so persistent leg heaviness is worth discussing with a healthcare provider rather than self-diagnosing.

💙At the Vascular Institute of Virginia, vascular specialists evaluate vein and circulation concerns and can help determine what may be causing your symptoms.

Your legs shouldn’t have to feel exhausted every evening. Contact VIV today: https://zurl.co/k9R0w

09/11/2026

Why am I waking up several times a night to urinate?

If frequent trips to the bathroom are interrupting your sleep, it can be tempting to chalk it up to getting older. But persistent nighttime urination—also called nocturia—can have several possible causes, including an enlarged prostate, or BPH.

Other BPH symptoms can include:

🔴Frequent or urgent urination
🔴A weak or interrupted urine stream
🔴Difficulty starting urination
🔴Feeling like your bladder isn't completely empty
🔴Waking multiple times during the night to urinate

For men whose symptoms are caused by BPH, Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) is one minimally invasive treatment option that may be considered. PAE works by reducing blood flow to the enlarged prostate, allowing it to shrink over time.

And this week for Facility Sneak Peek Friday, we're taking you inside our Fredericksburg location, where patients can receive specialized vascular care closer to home.

Because better sleep may start with getting answers about what's waking you up.

📍 Vascular Institute of Virginia | Fredericksburg - https://zurl.co/xFpAW

Learn more about PAE and whether a vascular evaluation may be appropriate for you.