Let's learn about the subclavian vein that supplies blood to the upper part of your body.

Have you ever wondered how the blood that has been used up from the upper part of our body, that is, from the arms, neck, and head, that is, the blood that has low oxygen, goes back to the heart? Well, a very important vein that helps with that is the subclavian vein. Shall we talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand?

What is the function of the subclavian vein?

Simply put, the Subclavian Veins are like a major artery that helps the blood flow in the upper part of our body. They help the blood circulate properly in your arms, head, and neck. The blood in our body travels through a network of veins. The arteries carry clean, oxygen-rich blood to our organs and tissues. Then, the veins collect the deoxygenated, waste-laden blood and bring it back to the heart. After reaching the heart, the blood goes to the lungs to be oxygenated again and begins a new journey. Imagine, this deoxygenated blood has to travel through many small veins to reach the heart. Just like the roads in a small city. Although these veins are interconnected and branch off in different directions, they all ultimately lead to the same place, which is our heart. Like most veins, the subclavian veins run parallel to their namesake arteries. Think of them as two narrow, one-way streets that run side by side. The subclavian artery carries blood away from the heart, while the nearby subclavian vein carries blood back to the heart. In addition to helping with blood circulation, the subclavian veins also play a very important role in some medical procedures.

• Central Venous Access: Doctors sometimes use your subclavian vein to insert a so-called 'central line'. This is actually something that is often done for people in intensive care units (ICUs). Catheters are small tube-like devices. These are used to give fluids and medications to the body. Although this central venous access is very important in medical treatment, sometimes complications such as bleeding, infection, irregular heartbeat ( arrhythmia ) , blood clots in the veins (venous thrombosis ) , and lung collapse ( pneumothorax ) can occur.
• Pacemaker wires: Doctors sometimes use the subclavian vein to insert the wires for a pacemaker, a device that regulates the heart's rhythm. Like a central line, this must be done very carefully to avoid complications.

Where are these subclavian veins located?

Now let's see where exactly these subclavian veins are located in our body. Both your right and left subclavian veins are located under your collarbone (Clavicle). To be precise, this vein starts near the shoulder, at the top of the chest, where the rib cage begins. Then it curves up like an arch, and then goes down again towards the heart. Imagine an 'm' drawn across your chest, and where that 'm' comes down from the middle, it almost hits the top of the heart. Those two ridges at the top of that 'm' are the subclavian veins.

Where do the subclavian veins receive blood from?

These subclavian veins receive blood from the axillary veins . These axillary veins are the small veins in your arms that come from the tips of your fingers. Remember that 'm' we talked about earlier? These axillary veins look like the two lines coming up from either side of the 'm'. That is, they bring blood to the two peaks called the subclavian veins. Then, the blood from the subclavian veins goes to the right and left brachiocephalic veins . These are the two curves in the middle of that 'm'. Finally, at the bottom of the 'm', these two brachiocephalic veins join to form a large vein called the Superior Vena Cava . That large vein is where the blood goes straight into the heart. Do you understand where that blood goes?

What are the subclavian veins made of?

Like our other veins, the subclavian veins are made up of three layers of tissue and fibers:

• Tunica Adventitia: This is the outermost layer. It is this layer that gives the vein its structure, shape, and strength.
• Tunica Media: This is the middle layer. It contains smooth muscle cells. These cells are what allow the vein to expand and contract as blood flows through it.
• Tunica Intima: This is the innermost layer. It has a lining made up of smooth endothelial cells . This allows blood to flow easily through the vein without any obstruction.

What are the conditions that affect the subclavian vein?

There are some diseases that can affect the subclavian veins. Let's see what they are.

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Imagine what happens if a blood clot forms in your subclavian vein and gets stuck. That's what DVT is called. Most often, DVT occurs in the legs. But sometimes, a blood clot can also form in a vein in the upper body, such as the subclavian vein. This can also occur as a complication of having a central venous catheter inserted. DVT is a very dangerous condition. If this blood clot breaks off and blocks a vein in the lungs, it can cause a fatal condition called pulmonary embolism . Symptoms of DVT can include swelling in the arm, discomfort, or a feeling of heaviness in the arm.
• Axillary-Subclavian Vein Thrombosis: This is also called Paget-Schroetter Syndrome , or 'Effort Thrombosis' . This is a rare form of DVT. It usually occurs in young people between the ages of 15 and 45. This condition can occur in people who play sports or lift heavy objects for work. This problem usually starts with movements such as frequently raising the arm above the head. Symptoms can include swelling, pain, and a blue discoloration of the arm.

If you have any of these symptoms, please call 1990 immediately or go to the nearest hospital. These are medical emergencies that require immediate treatment.

How can I keep my veins healthy?

There are several things you can do to keep not only your subclavian vein, but all the other veins in your body, healthy and functioning well.

• Go for a walk: Try to walk for at least 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week.
• Stay active throughout the day: Instead of sitting in one place for too long, move around a bit. This will help improve blood circulation throughout the body.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet: This can help control your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight.
• Drink plenty of water.
• If you notice any symptoms of a vein problem, don't ignore them. See your doctor right away. Identifying problems early can help prevent them from becoming more serious.

Don't forget, your subclavian vein is a very important part of your venous system. It helps bring blood from your upper body back to your heart. If you've had vein problems before, such as blood clots, talk to your doctor. He or she can tell you about ways to reduce your risk of future problems.

Take-Home Message

Okay, so here are some things you need to remember from what we've talked about today:

• The subclavian vein is an important blood vessel located near your shoulder, just below your collarbone. It carries oxygen-poor blood from the upper body (arms, neck, and head) back to the heart.
• This vein is used in some medical treatments, for example, to insert a central line or pacemaker wires.
• Problems such as blood clots in the subclavian veins (DVT, Axillary-Subclavian Vein Thrombosis) can occur. If you experience symptoms such as swelling, pain, or blueness in your arm , you should seek medical advice immediately.
• You can keep your veins healthy by following a healthy lifestyle (walking well, eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water).
• It is very important to tell a doctor without ignoring any minor symptoms.