If you have been diagnosed with varicose veins, you aren’t alone. These dilated, bulging bluish veins affect 30 percent of people. Well, you already know that this health condition is common. But who gets varicose veins? Could you be at risk of developing varicose veins?
While varicose veins can happen to nearly anyone, there are specific risk factors that tend to heighten the chances of developing them. Remember, some of these risk factors can be effectively addressed via treatment options such as Venaseal and minor or major lifestyle changes, and others are beyond your control. These factors include;
Gender
According to most vein health experts, women are more likely to develop varicose veins than men. Female hormones are thought to be the leading contributing factor to these increased chances of females developing this health condition.
Pregnancy
Varicose veins are more likely to appear when you are pregnant. This is because the growing fetus in your womb puts increased pressure on the blood veins in your lower abdomen which might result in blood pooling in your legs. Fortunately, after delivery, the varicose veins that appear due to the increased pressure often disappear.
Heredity
If your family members have a history of varicose veins, the chances are that you will develop these ugly-looking veins at some point in life. This theory isn’t completely understood, and medical experts continue carrying out research to offer a profound explanation.
Birth control pills
If you are on medication containing female hormones including hormone replacement therapy and birth control pills, you are at a higher risk of developing varicose veins. Note that hormone replacement therapy is used in the treatment of menopause-related symptoms.
Weight
Obesity and being overweight is a risk factor when it comes to the development of varicose veins. This is because increased body weight can compress your blood veins. This results in increased pressure that strains the vein walls and valves.
Age
As you age, your veins age with you. With time, your vein walls and valves weaken, resulting in an increased chance of developing varicose veins. Note that this risk increased after you hit 40 years.
Damaged veins
In case you suffered traumatic vein damage, the chances are that your veins are not as strong as they should. That means the valves might not function as expected and the walls might bulge and become varicose veins.
You shouldn’t confuse varicose veins with spider veins. The latter is a smaller version of the dreaded varicose veins and are made up of blue or red lines that look like branches or a web. Note that spider veins are more of a cosmetic issue rather than a health concern. On the other hand, varicose veins have severe symptoms, and if left untreated, they could lead to serious health conditions and even death.
