<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.I have high blood pressure 16990 and vericose veins. Recently my knee started hurting and my leg swelled up. I elevated my leg and used a heating pad. The swelling went down but the pain in myknee is still present. The vericose veins are not as noticeable. Is this a sign of a blood clot? I am not onany medication.  <response>: Hello. Thank you for your question and welcome to Chat Doctor. I understand your concern. The blood pressure should be kept within normal range, i.e. under 14090 mmHg. Therefore, I recommend you to discuss with your treating cardiologist or internal medicine specialist, to lower your blood pressure. Beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers or angiotensinogen converting enzyme inhibitors would be a reasonable approach, at this moment. As for the various veins, I cannot conclusively say that this pain is caused from this condition. Even if it is a blood clot, it could be accompanied also with coldness andor numbness andor discoloration of the extremity. However, my opinion is that you should undergo an echo Doppler of the leg arteries andor an Anglo computed tomography with contrast, of the blood vessels of the leg. I suggest you to further consult a vascular surgeon, to determine the stage of various veins, and plan further treatment, because the strategy of the treatment depends on the stage of this condition. A baby aspirin a day and quitting smoking would be warranted at this moment. I hope I was helpful with my answer. Feel free to ask again. Best regards, 