Jugularvein distention (JVD) is a bulging of large veins that run down the side of your neck.
Immediate medical care is necessary.
This article will go over what causes jugular vein distention.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
It usually happens afterleft-sided heart failure, which causes increased pressure on the right side to pump blood.
Over time, the right side is weakened and cannot work as well.
Blood then accumulates in the veins and leads to a bulging jugular vein.
Symptoms can include shortness of breath, edema (swelling), and fatigue along with JVD.
Thepulmonary arteryis the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart’s right ventricle to the lungs.
When pressure increases there, pulmonary hypertension occurs.
Symptoms range from mild to severe.
Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and edema.
Pulmonary hypertension can cause JVD due to the increased pressure in the vein, causing it to bulge.
One of these veins is the jugular vein.
This can result in JVD, which leads to increased venous pressure.
Constrictive pericarditis is relatively rare but it’s usually chronic and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Superior Vena Cava Obstruction
The superiorvena cavais one of the main veins in the body.
It transports blood from your arms, chest, neck, and head to your heart.
The jugular vein is one of several veins of the neck that connect to the superior vena cava.
When there is an obstruction in the superior vena cava, it becomes compressed or blocked.
Depending on the severity of the condition, symptoms may be nonexistent or mild.
The blockage can progress, causing extreme symptoms, including chest pain, coughing up blood, andwheezing.
Cardiac Tamponade
Cardiac tamponadeis a medical emergency.
In this condition, blood and fluid accumulate in the pericardial sac and compress the heart.
A pneumothorax can be a complete or partial lung collapse.
There are several types of pneumothorax, including open and tension.
It can cause jugular vein distention.
A tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible.
Tricuspid Valve Stenosis
Thetricuspid valveis between the right atrium and the right ventricle of the heart.
Tricuspid valvestenosisis one of four types of tricuspid valve diseases.
Tricuspid valve stenosis often causes increased jugular venous pressure and bulging of the vein.
Tricuspid valve stenosis is uncommon and usually occurs along with another valvular issue.
If the condition is mild or moderate, treatment may not be needed.
However, you should still see your healthcare provider.
In severe cases, surgery may be required.
Other common symptoms may include:
Some conditions will have specific symptoms.
Call 911 if you notice other symptoms as well like chest pain, shortness of breath, or confusion.
Diagnosis of JVD
JVD is diagnosed on the basis of the distention in the neck.
These tests may include:
Keep in mind that a diagnosis of JVD points to another underlying cause.
Some tests, such as aheart catheterization, may be needed to diagnose specific conditions like pulmonary hypertension.
These treatments will vary depending on the diagnosis.
Healthcare providers typically try the least invasive methods first.
Summary
Jugular vein distention (JVD) pops up if neck veins bulge out because of pressure.
JVD often signals the presence of a serious underlying issue, usually involving the heart and lungs.
These conditions include right-sided heart failure, pericarditis, and other cardiac health concerns.
These causes can usually be managed if you see a healthcare provider right away for diagnosis and treatment.
A bulging jugular vein will be visible on the right side of a person’s neck.
If it has an abnormally high pulse, it can be a sign of jugular vein distention.
The sudden appearance of blue veins on the chest is usually due to genetics.
In many cases they are not harmful, but it may be worth mentioning them to a healthcare provider.
They also check for the presence of abnormalities and estimate the vein’s pressure.
This physical examination can help assess a person’s cardiovascular health.
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