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Varicose Veins: Understanding the Risks and What You Can Do
🇸🇬 Singapore /Health & Science

Varicose Veins: Understanding the Risks and What You Can Do

From CNA · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Explainer Named sources Context piece
  • Varicose veins, characterized by bulging, ropelike vessels, are common but not life-threatening, affecting up to 30% of adults.
  • While lifestyle changes can ease symptoms, they typically don't eliminate existing veins; risk factors include family history, age, weight, and prolonged sitting or standing.
  • Though generally harmless, symptomatic varicose veins can cause pain, swelling, and skin changes, and in rare cases, lead to ulcers or deep vein thrombosis, requiring prompt medical attention.

Varicose veins, those lumpy, ropelike vessels that bulge beneath the skin, are a common concern for many, though experts emphasize they are not life-threatening.

These veins, most frequently appearing in the legs, ankles, and feet, affect up to 30% of adults. Dr. Faisal Aziz, chief of vascular surgery at Penn State Health, explains that while simple lifestyle adjustments can alleviate symptoms and prevent worsening, they usually do not make existing varicose veins disappear.

not life threatening or limb threatening

— Dr Faisal AzizChief of vascular surgery at Penn State Health, describing the nature of varicose veins.

The primary cause lies in the veins' challenging task of returning blood to the heart from the legs. This process relies on calf muscles squeezing the veins and one-way valves preventing backflow. Varicose veins develop when these valves weaken or fail, causing blood to pool and enlarge the veins. Family history is the most significant risk factor, alongside aging, excess weight, and occupations requiring prolonged sitting or standing. Women are also more susceptible, potentially due to hormonal factors and pregnancy.

While prevention is difficult due to uncontrollable risk factors, maintaining an active lifestyle, a healthy weight, and taking regular breaks from sedentary periods can reduce strain. If varicose veins are asymptomatic, they can be safely ignored. However, symptomatic cases, which can include pain, tenderness, heaviness, swelling, itchy skin, and discoloration, warrant medical evaluation. In rare instances, untreated varicose veins can lead to ulcers or increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis, a serious blood clot, especially if sudden swelling or pain occurs in one leg.

If varicose veins aren’t painful or bothersome, it’s perfectly fine to ignore them

— Dr Angela KokkosisDirector of the center for vein care at Stony Brook Medicine, on managing asymptomatic varicose veins.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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