{"id":264,"date":"2022-12-11T02:33:08","date_gmt":"2022-12-11T10:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.empirevein.com\/?p=264"},"modified":"2023-10-20T08:59:44","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:59:44","slug":"top-5-causes-of-varicose-veins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/en\/blog\/vein-specialist\/top-5-causes-of-varicose-veins\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Factors That Put You at Risk For Varicose Veins"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Age<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Age is the most significant risk factor for varicose veins, and also a risk factor for which there is no solution[1]<\/sup>. As you age, the connective tissues in your veins become weaker and your body\u2019s ability to produce collagen and elastin, the proteins that form these connective tissues decreases, leading to poorer quality structural proteins. As a result, your blood vessels become stiffer and less able to accommodate normal fluctuations in blood flow. Also, we tend to become more sedentary with advanced age which carries its own risk factors. However, if you are physically able to remain active this part of the aging process is largely under your control.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Age is also tied to gender in terms of its effect on risk for varicose veins, with women experiencing a greater increase in risk as well as more symptoms if they develop varicose veins as they age compared to men[1]<\/sup>. Past the age of 65, women have been found to have an 83% chance of having of developing varicose veins, about 28% greater likelihood than men of the same age range[1]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obesity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s common knowledge that being overweight puts you at greater risk for conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Being overweight also increases your risk for varicose veins and if you are obese and develop varicose veins you are more likely to have symptoms than someone with varicose veins who isn\u2019t overweight[2]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which fans the flames of varicose veins by causing changes in blood vessel linings that lead to further impaired blood flow[2]<\/sup>. Additionally, if you are obese and have varicose veins you are more likely to experience ulcers, or open sores in the skin, which are a serious complication of venous disease that can be slow to heal and challenging to treat[2]<\/sup>. Ulcers are more likely to recur in obese varicose vein patients, as well[2]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Researchers have identified hundreds of genes and genetic variants that are associated with increased risk for varicose veins. Genetic variability between individuals has a significant impact \u2013 about 60% on risk for varicose veins[3]<\/sup>. If both of your parents have varicose veins you have a 90% chance of developing varicose veins at some time in your life[3]<\/sup>. If one of your parents is affected, your risk is 25% if you are male and 62% if you are female[3]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the strongest genetic links have to do with genes involved with regulating blood pressure and genes involved in the development of your vascular system[4]<\/sup>. There is also strong genetic evidence showing that if you\u2019ve ever had a blood clot in your leg you are at increased risk for developing varicose veins[4]<\/sup>. Genes that regulate vascular development may make some people more susceptible to impaired blood flow. There are also genetic variants that make some people\u2019s blood more prone to clotting[4]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Pregnancy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pregnancy contributes greatly to the increased risk for varicose veins in women. About 40% of women develop varicose veins during pregnancy and for the great majority of these women, varicose veins appear in the first trimester often as early as the first few weeks[5]<\/sup>. Additionally, after two or more pregnancies, a woman\u2019s risk for developing varicose veins later on increases by 20% – 30%[3]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several factors unique to pregnancy that are responsible for this increased risk:<\/p>\n\n\n\n