Seasonal variation of cardiac and vascular/venous diseases has been noted with higher incidence rates during the winter than in the summer months. This variation is linked with multiple risk factors, such as temperature, physical activity, air pollution, infections, and food habits.  During the cold winter season, rise of blood levels of certain (at least 5) bodily substances (homones, cholesterol, and more) suggest an important role in this phenomena.  This information is noted in the April 2013 North American Journal of Medical Sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662093/ Medical clinics and hospitals see an increase in patients during this time.  This increase in clinic/hospital visits is not just flu-related.  Educating our public in health, prevention, recognition and treatment is critical.  Proper planning by physician’s offices and hospitals is common and important for all communities during Winter Surge. At Minnesota Vein Center we encourage patients to seek evaluation early to avoid schedule-related delays in their treatment.   While heart muscle, rhythm, chest pain and stroke receive much public attention, deep vein thrombosis also occurs frequently during the winter. As part of education and planning, patients at Minnesota Vein Center understand these winter issues.  Patients also know the winter months are the ideal time for varicose veins or venous ulcer treatments.  Compression stockings required during post-procedure care provide a welcoming warmth and relief  in this cold season. While the winter schedule surge has begun remember, with the warmer temperatures of late spring and summer, veins widen and those vein symptoms typically worsen.   In the interim, we continue to encourage patients to find ways to keep walking, but also to remember to plan in advance – in all aspects of your health care.