For more than 30 years, he raced at the elite level, traveling across the country, competing in high-stakes events, and building a reputation as a top-tier Masters cyclist. But behind the scenes, something else was going on, something wasn’t right.
Despite the rigorous training and lifelong discipline, Matt’s legs started giving out too soon. Endurance waned. Pain crept in. And what once felt like a powerful body now just felt… tired.
“I knew my conditioning was where it needed to be,” he says. “But my legs weren’t responding the way they should. I felt fatigued during long rides, I had visible varicose veins, and I was even getting dizzy. None of it made any sense.”
The symptoms became impossible to ignore, especially when they started interfering with Matt’s daily life.
“There were days I had to put off tasks at home because my legs just wouldn’t cooperate,” he explains. “That affected my family, too, as they had to step in and do some things I just couldn’t.”
Then a close friend took one look at his legs, noticed the bruising, spider veins, and discoloration, and he urged Matt to get help. A quick online search led him to Dr. Naiem Nassiri and The Vascular Care Group in Darien, CT.
Expert Diagnosis. Personalized Care.
During his first appointment, everything changed.
“Dr. Nassiri had a strong suspicion right away, even before we confirmed it with ultrasound imaging, which they were able to do that same day, right in the office,” he recalls. “He was incredibly knowledgeable and confident. That gave me a lot of peace of mind.”
Matt’s diagnosis? Bilateral iliac compression syndrome—sometimes called May-Thurner Syndrome when affecting both sides, as in Matt’s case—is a vascular condition in which the iliac veins (responsible for returning blood from the legs to the heart) are compressed by nearby arteries or other structures. This pressure can restrict blood flow, leading to symptoms such as leg pain, swelling, heaviness, and in some cases, deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The resulting poor circulation may also contribute to varicose veins, which in Matt’s case, required separate treatment with radiofrequency ablation.
Over the ensuing six months, Matt underwent a couple of outpatient procedures, including a venogram and the placement of stents, that relieved pressure, restored his circulation, and treated the damaged veins.
Fast Recovery. Remarkable Results.
“I noticed an improvement within 24 hours,” he says. “My legs felt lighter. No more early fatigue. The difference was immediate.”
Within a month, Matt was back to training and noticed a dramatic improvement in both stamina and strength.
“I didn’t just return to my old self—I felt better than I had in years.”
Now, Matt is preparing for the USA Cycling Masters National Championships, with his sights set on first place.
Back in the Race—And Better Than Ever
Thanks to Dr. Nassiri and the team at The Vascular Care Group in Darien, he’s not just back in the race, he’s leading it.
“They didn’t just treat my symptoms. They helped me reclaim a part of myself I thought was gone. I’m stronger. I’m healthier. And I’m ready to compete again.”
He’ll be on baby aspirin for life due to the stents—but that’s the only lasting change. Matt says everything else feels like a victory.
The Vascular Care Group: Helping Patients Get Their Lives Back
At The Vascular Care Group, we believe that expert care doesn’t have to mean a hospital stay. Our state-of-the-art outpatient settings are designed for comfort, convenience, and comprehensive treatment, tailored to each individual patient’s needs, all while getting you back home the same day.
Whether you’re dealing with fatigue, varicose veins, or other more complicated circulatory issues that are impacting your daily life, you don’t have to settle for “just living with it.”
We’re here to help you get back to doing what you love—without limits.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified vascular specialists.