Varicose veins are a common venous condition, affecting millions of Americans at some point. These protruding, twisted veins often run along the legs or other body parts. These damaged veins can be uncomfortable, so trying to prevent them whenever possible is crucial. Certain risk factors raise your likelihood of developing Upper East Side varicose veins. While you can do nothing about factors like age, and genetics, others are manageable. Learning about these risk factors can help reduce your chances of developing this venous condition. Continue reading to learn more.
1. Advancing Age
As you age, the valves in your veins might lose their functionality. Once this occurs, the one-way blood flow to your heart fails, resulting in blood pooling in the leg veins. With time, this issue causes a surge in venous pressure, making the veins swell and twist.
Furthermore, physical inactivity prevalent among elderly individuals weakens the leg’s calf muscles. Once these calf muscles contract, they help to enhance blood circulation in the leg veins. Nonetheless, this ability to pump blood declines in older individuals because the calm muscle tone is low.
2. Prolonged Standing or Sitting
Individuals with occupations demanding to stand or sit for long hours are in danger of developing varicose veins. Standing or sitting for prolonged periods reduces venous return, which makes blood pool in the leg veins. Thereafter, the venous pressure increases and makes the vein distend and twist. Varicose veins might occur in the deep or superficial veins of the legs. As such, if you are in such a profession, you may benefit from taking frequent breaks at work and obtaining regular screenings for varicose veins.
3. Genetic Factors
If you have a family history of varicose veins, especially from close relatives like your parent, or sibling, your risk of developing this condition is also higher. Inherited genes cause the weakening of the weak muscle in the walls of certain veins. These affected veins dilate, accumulate blood, and increase the venous pressure attributed to the twisting and swelling of veins.
4. Obesity
Being obese or overweight places extra pressure on your legs, which affects the veins. If the leg pressure persists, the venous pressure intensifies and causes damage to these veins.
5. Pregnancy
Varicose veins in pregnancy frequently disappear after delivery because of damage to the walls or valves of the veins. Varicose veins are common in expectant women due to the compression of the big veins that drains blood from the lower limbs. The fetal head obstructs venous return, resulting in blood flow stagnation and increased venous pressure within the leg veins.
6. Hormone Therapy
Women use hormonal drugs for different purposes, like contraception and managing distressing menopausal symptoms. Unfortunately, these hormones can cause the weakening of the valves and raise your varicose veins.
7. Chronic Vein Trauma
A history of previous vascular surgeries, blood clots, and structural compression may cause vein trauma. Scar tissues develop in veins once they become exposed to chronic damage. These scar tissues may develop and affect blood circulation, which causes blood pooling and an increase in venous pressure.
Varicose veins are only an aesthetic concern for most people because of the protruding veins on their legs. However, not treating this condition can lead to more serious complications like leg ulcers, blood clots, and more. Thus, you should seek professional care if you have more than one risk factor for varicose veins. Early diagnosis and prompt medical attention are essential to avoid the onset of complications. Your specialist will suggest measures to address the manageable risk factors, and, if necessary, recommend therapies like sclerotherapy to address the troublesome veins.
