A free vein screening at FCCI is a 20-minute ultrasound of your leg that checks how well your veins work and looks for blockages that could lead to chronic venous insufficiency. To book one, call 904.493.3333.*
Who should get screened
FCCI notes that 50% of women and 40% of men have some kind of venous problem. You do not need to wait for bulging veins to get checked. A screening makes sense if you have:
- Legs that ache or feel heavy after standing
- Swelling in your ankles or lower legs
- Itching or an aching feeling along your veins
- Red or brown skin changes near the ankles
- Visible varicose, spider or reticular veins
- A family history of vein problems
- A past blood clot in your leg
What happens during the screening
A vascular technologist puts a little warm gel on your leg and moves a small ultrasound probe over it. The screen shows your veins and the direction blood flows. Healthy vein valves keep blood moving up toward the heart. Weak valves let it slide back down and pool. The scan also looks for blockages.
There are no needles and no radiation. You stay dressed except for your legs, so wear shorts or loose pants.
What the results can mean
After the screening you will know your risk level for venous disease. There are three common outcomes:
- Healthy veins. Great news. If your legs still bother you, FCCI's specialists in cardiology, sleep medicine, wound care and pulmonology can help look for another cause.
- Signs of reflux or blockage. Your doctor may suggest a full venous insufficiency exam, which takes about an hour and can include both legs, to map exactly which vein segments are not working.
- Something urgent. If the scan raises concern about a clot, the team will guide you on next steps right away.
Why screening early helps
Chronic venous insufficiency affects about 25 million Americans. Left untreated, FCCI notes it can lead to swelling (edema), serious leg infections and blood clots. Catching it early gives you more options and more time.
How to book
- Call 904.493.3333, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
- Ask for a free vein screening.
- Choose the office that is easiest for you.
- Wear shorts or loose pants on the day.
Please do not send health details through online forms. Share them by phone or at your visit.
What it does not include
The screening is a check of your risk, not a full workup or treatment. If you need more testing or a procedure, the team will talk with you about that and your insurance before anything is scheduled. The disclaimer below applies to the free screening.
*The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination, or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination, or treatment.
The lab behind your results
If your free screening suggests a problem, a full ultrasound is usually next. It is done in FCCI's Non-Invasive Vascular Lab, accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission and the only Jacksonville lab dedicated just to vascular testing. Registered vascular technologists run the scan, and your doctor walks you through the results and a personal plan afterward. There are no needles and no radiation, so you head back to your day as soon as it is done. Loose shorts and lotion-free legs make it easier.
Curious whether your legs qualify for the free 20 minute screening? Ask when you call 904.493.3333, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, or leave a request on our booking page. A screening is for slow, nagging symptoms; swelling with chest pain or shortness of breath means call 911.
