What Are Varicose Veins & Are They Genetic?

Did you know that up to 35% of people in the U.S. have varicose veins?1 They’re an extremely common problem, and you might be especially…

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Did you know that up to 35% of people in the U.S. have varicose veins?1 They’re an extremely common problem, and you might be especially aware of them if others in your family have the condition.

But what exactly are varicose veins, and can you do anything to reduce your risk? 

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are bulging blood vessels that develop just under the skin. They look like swollen, twisted tangles and are usually blue or purple. 

Many varicose veins don’t cause symptoms, but some do. If you have varicose veins, you may feel heaviness, aching, cramping, and even itchiness in your legs. Leg swelling is also common. 

Even without symptoms, varicose veins can be unsightly and impact your self-esteem. Here’s what you need to know if you’re concerned about varicose veins.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

No one knows for certain what causes varicose veins. However, there are certain risk factors that make varicose veins more likely to develop. Those include:

  • Age. The likelihood of developing varicose veins increases as you get older.2
  • Being female. Women are more likely to get varicose veins, possible due to higher estrogen levels.3
  • Pregnancy. Many people first develop varicose veins during pregnancy. Additional pregnancies can make the condition worse.
  • Long periods of sitting or standing. People with a more sedentary lifestyle and those who stand for extended periods are more likely to develop varicose veins. 
  • Obesity. Carrying extra weight may increase your risk of varicose veins, especially if you’re female.4
  • Height. Recent research suggests that taller people may be more likely to have varicose veins.5
  • Smoking. The American Heart Association calls smoking an “important modifiable risk factor for varicose veins.”6

Family history may also play a role.

Are Varicose Veins Genetic?

According to multiple studies, people can be genetically predisposed to develop varicose veins. In the U.K., 85% of patients with varicose veins were found to have a family member with the condition, compared to 22% of patients without varicose veins. Those with varicose veins were 21 times more likely to report a positive family history.7

In a French study, having two parents with varicose veins increased a person’s risk by 90%. 

Still, 90% isn’t 100%, and there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing the condition.

Preventing Varicose Veins

Don’t panic — having a family history of varicose veins doesn’t mean you’ll automatically develop them yourself. Many factors influence how your genes express themselves. 

Scientists call this “epigenetics.” Even if you’re genetically predisposed to something, those genes may or may not activate. Your environment and lifestyle play important roles, changing the chemistry of your body and affecting how your genes behave.8

You control many of these epigenetic factors. For example, varicose veins develop due to changes in the vessel walls. If you can keep your vessel walls strong and improve your circulation, you may be able to prevent or reduce varicose veins.

Dietary Factors

Many lifestyle risk factors are related to your diet. First, eating well helps you to maintain a healthy weight, which can reduce your likelihood of developing varicose veins. Less weight means less pressure on your circulatory system.

Your vein-friendly diet should be low in salt and high in fiber and potassium. Certain vitamins and minerals may also keep your veins healthier and stronger. Copper and vitamins B, C, E, and K are particularly good choices.

There isn’t enough evidence yet to say any of these nutrients prevent varicose veins, but they all benefit your body and your vascular system in particular.

An Active Lifestyle

Varicose veins often develop in the legs. If you don’t get enough exercise, your leg muscles may not be strong enough to support healthy blood flow.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), regular exercise like walking can strengthen leg muscles and possibly prevent varicose veins.9

Not Smoking

It wouldn’t be responsible to discuss varicose vein prevention without mentioning smoking. If you smoke, stopping can reduce your risk of varicose veins.10 If you don’t smoke, don’t start.

Living With Varicose Veins

If you do develop varicose veins, don’t worry. It’s not a “failure” of any kind, and varicose veins are very rarely dangerous to your health. Many people live comfortably with varicose veins by treating them at home.

Varicose vein home management is easy and painless. You can try:

  • Massage. Leg massages can reduce the strain on your blood vessels and relieve discomfort — but don’t massage your varicose veins directly.
  • Gradient compression stockings. These encourage healthy blood flow in your leg veins.
  • Elevating your feet, ideally to heart level, for 30 minutes, four times a day. This decompresses the veins and assists blood flow to the heart.11
  • Gentle exercise. Low-impact workouts like swimming or walking can help your circulation and reduce symptoms.

If home treatment isn’t enough, don’t worry. There are plenty of medical interventions to choose from.

Treating Your Varicose Veins

If your varicose veins are painful or make daily life difficult, or if you simply don’t like the way they look, you can seek treatment. Varicose vein care has improved dramatically over the past few decades. Today, there are multiple effective nonsurgical options.

Today’s varicose vein treatments use various techniques to close the affected vein. The body builds new pathways around the affected vein, which eventually dissolves. For example:

If you’re worried about letting varicose veins go untreated, a vein care specialist can help you understand your options.

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Help for Varicose Vein Issues

If you’re interested in seeing a doctor about treating, managing, or preventing varicose veins, My Vein Treatment can help. Use our specialist locator tool today to find a qualified, compassionate vein care professional in your area.

Varicose veins are common, but they don’t have to interfere with your life. Talk to a professional today and take control of your vein health.

SOURCES:

  1. Society for Vascular Surgery: ” Varicose Veins.”
  2. Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics: ” A Review of Familial, Genetic, and Congenital Aspects of Primary Varicose Vein Disease.” 
  3. Circulation: ” Varicose Veins.
  4. Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics: ” A Review of Familial, Genetic, and Congenital Aspects of Primary Varicose Vein Disease.” 
  5. Circulation: “ Clinical and Genetic Determinants of Varicose Veins.”
  6. Circulation: ” Varicose Veins.
  7. Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics: ” A Review of Familial, Genetic, and Congenital Aspects of Primary Varicose Vein Disease.” 
  8. Vessel Plus: The genetic constituent of varicose vein pathogenesis as a key for future treatment option development.”
  9. Circulation: Varicose Veins.”
  10. Journal of the American Heart Association: “ Cardiometabolic, Lifestyle, and Nutritional Factors in Relation to Varicose Veins: A Mendelian Randomization Study.”
  11. Circulation: ” Varicose Veins.