Understanding what DVT is, why it occurs and how it’s treated can help you prevent it or at least recognize warning signs.

And while varicose veins are usually harmless, they can lead to some more serious health issues. So how do you know when to worry about varicose veins?

“Varicose veins are the bigger, bulging, twisted veins that you often see running down someone’s legs,” said Dr. Justin Ha, a physician and vein specialist with Metro Vein Centers.

HuffPost asked vascular surgeons ― the experts on all things veins and arteries ― to share the things they never do in the interest of their blood vessel health.

Deep vein thrombosis, commonly known as DVT, clots blood deep inside a vein in the leg or pelvis.

There are leaky valves that often cause backward flow, and patients sense that by experiencing heaviness, aching, swelling, and discoloration,” said Dr. Hearn, a vascular surgeon at The Vein ...