What is the Main Cause of Varicose Veins? 6 Risk Factors for Varicose Veins

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Common signs and symptoms of vein disease:

• Leg heaviness
• Leg pain
• Leg swelling
• Leg discomfort
• Leg muscle cramps
• Restless leg syndrome
• Spider veins
• Varicose veins
• Skin discoloration
• Leg ulceration (non-healing wounds on the legs)
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in leg veins)

Chronic venous insufficiency progresses in stages. The initial signs and symptoms of vein disease are fairly mild and benign, often mistaken for signs of aging or exhaustion. But if vein disease is left untreated, the symptoms gradually escalate and lead to numerous long-term complications. In extreme situations, you may also suffer from deep vein thrombosis, which leads to blood clots in veins that can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. As such, in rare cases, vein disease can be fatal.

If you notice the signs and symptoms mentioned above, please visit your nearest vein treatment clinic in New York, New Jersey, Long Island, California, or Washington DC.

What are the primary risk factors of vein disease?

Chronic venous insufficiency is the primary root cause of varicose veins and spider veins. But who has a higher risk of vein disease, and can you do anything to minimize the risk? The following are some of the primary risks of chronic venous insufficiency.

#1. Genetics

Genetic predisposition is the leading risk factor for vein disease. Some people have genetically weaker vein valves that can malfunction with greater ease, leading to vein disease and varicose veins. If your mom and dad have a history of vein problems, you have a 90% risk of chronic venous insufficiency and vein problems.

#2. Biological Sex

Women have a significantly higher risk of vein disease than men, though both men and women can get spider veins and varicose veins. Women have a higher volume of estrogen and progesterone hormones, which can weaken the vein valves, eventually leading to a higher risk of chronic venous insufficiency.

#3. Pregnancy

Pregnancy dramatically increases the risk of chronic venous insufficiency. When you’re pregnant, your body produces a higher concentration of estrogen and progesterone, increasing the risk of vein disease. Furthermore, the weight of the uterus also applies pressure on the veins, which can collapse the vein valves.

#4. Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes can increase the risk of vein disease. If you’re taking hormones that increase the production of estrogen and progesterone, your vein valves are more likely to get damaged, leading to chronic venous insufficiency.

#5. Occupation

Certain professions lead to a higher risk of vein disease than others. When you sit or stand for long periods of time, more blood pools in your leg veins, leading to a higher risk of varicose veins. For that reason, vein disease is particularly common amongst nurses, teachers, drivers, pilots, and individuals with desk jobs.

#6. Being Overweight

Being overweight can also increase the pressure on your vein valves, leading to a higher risk of chronic venous insufficiency. Weight management can reduce the risk of vein disease, but only if you also focus on increasing your activity levels and addressing the other potential risk factors for chronic venous insufficiency.

How to prevent varicose veins and vein disease?

There are no definite means of preventing varicose veins and vein disease. You can develop varicose veins for a wide range of risk factors. But you can take certain measures to minimize the risk of vein disease, especially if you fall into one of the categories mentioned above. The following are some of the methods to minimize the risk of vein disease:

1. Wear compression stockings regularly to push accumulated blood to the heart.
2. Engage in exercises that activate your calf muscles and improve blood circulation, such as swimming, running, cycling, and yoga.
3. Don’t sit or stand still for long periods, even if your job is sedentary. Take short breaks every 30 minutes to stretch your legs and walk around.
4. Elevate your legs above the heart’s level while sitting down.
5. Remain hydrated and drink lots of water.