Coumadin & Cozaar & Vein Color & Protrusion

Posted by Kay on July 07, 1999 at 12:01:31
Good Morning
First of all, thank you for all the information you have provided in the past.  I truly appreciate it.  I am a 30 yr. old female with:
Asthma (Azmacort & Vacenese twice daily and Albuterol as needed)
Ortho-Tricyclen
VSD repaired in 1974
Pacemaker in 1993
Bacterial Endocarditis 1974
This past March I began taking Cozaar 25 mg.
This past May I had a stroke that has slightly impaired my vision.
I began taking Coumadin (generic).  Currently I am alternating days with 2.5 and 5 mg.
At the present moment I am taking Methylprednislone for Asthma relief (too much hot Cleveland weather).
Over the past few days I noticed that my veins are so dark and some actually appear above the skin.  I notice that my leg veins are really really dark after walking or standing on them for very short period of time.  I have not noticed until know.  do you think it is related to the weather, water retention, or steroids?  Or just the Coumadin.  I am in excellant shape and I totally paranoid of Varicose Veins!  
Thanks and Smiles
Kay

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on July 08, 1999 at 11:12:45
Steroids will thin the skin making veins appear more prominently. In addition the hot weather dilates veins making them more visible. Coumadin probably has no role in this.
Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.