Hours on your feet can make leg veins work harder, and in some people that shows up as aching, swelling or bulging veins by the end of a shift. If that sounds like your week, a vein doctor at First Coast Cardiovascular Institute (FCCI) can check what is happening with a quick ultrasound.
Why standing is tough on veins
Gravity pulls blood toward your feet. Calf muscles and one-way valves push it back up. Stand still long enough and that system gets tired. FCCI lists pain when standing that becomes less noticeable when legs are elevated as a classic deep vein sign.
Jacksonville jobs that keep you upright
- Nurses and hospital staff
- Teachers
- Restaurant and bar crews
- Retail and warehouse workers
- Port, shipyard and trades workers
- Hair stylists
And on the flip side, long commutes on I-95 or I-295 mean plenty of sitting too. Both extremes can make tired legs feel worse.
Small shift habits
Move when you can. Flex your calves, walk on breaks and raise your legs when you get home. Ask your vein doctor whether compression is a good idea for you, since the right choice depends on your circulation.
When to get checked
If aching, swelling, itching, skin color changes or bulging veins keep coming back, it is time. FCCI's free vein screening ultrasound takes about 20 minutes, which fits on a day off. Hours run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Where to go
FCCI's Southside office is at 7011 AC Skinner Parkway, Ste 160. Offices on the Northside, Westside and in Mandarin/Bartram make it easier to find one near work or home.
A word for the night shift
Hospital and port crews often work nights and sleep days, which makes daytime appointments tricky. Call 904.493.3333 and tell the scheduler your shift. They can look for the time that gives you the most sleep. Some follow-ups can be a TeleVisit through a text link, so you do not have to drive across town after a long night. Your legs carried you through the shift. Giving them twenty minutes back is fair.
About the Vein Clinic at FCCI
First Coast Cardiovascular Institute has cared for Northeast Florida since 2002. FCCI calls its Vein Clinic Jacksonville's only comprehensive vein clinic, and the only one in Northeast Florida to house a team of board certified endovascular and vascular physicians. Cardiovascular, sleep medicine, wound care and pulmonary specialists work under the same roof, so if your legs are fine but something else is going on, you are not starting over somewhere new.
FCCI's vascular testing is accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, and registered vascular technologists perform the scans. Vein services happen in an outpatient setting, which FCCI says keeps costs low and visits convenient.
Getting ready for your visit
- Call 904.493.3333 to book, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Fill out the New Patient Registration form from FCCI's Patient Resources page
- Bring your ID, insurance card and a list of your medicines
- Wear shorts or loose pants so your legs are easy to check
- Write down when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse
- Need to reschedule? FCCI asks for at least 24 hours' notice
Please do not send health details through any online form. Share them with your care team at the visit or by phone.
Ready to get your legs looked at? Call First Coast Cardiovascular Institute at 904.493.3333, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or send an appointment request from our Book page. Ask about the free 20-minute vein screening at the Southside office, 7011 AC Skinner Parkway, Ste 160. If you ever have sudden leg swelling with chest pain or shortness of breath, call 911.
