How common is venous disease?
Chronic venous disease of the legs is one of the most common conditions affecting people. Approximately half of the U.S. population has venous disease-50 to 55 percent of women and 40 to 45 percent of men. Of these, 20 to 25 percent of the women and 10 to 15 percent of the men will have visible varicose veins. Varicose veins affect one out of two people age 50 and older, and 15 to 25 percent of all adults. People without visible varicose veins can still have symptoms. The symptoms can arise from spider veins, as well as from varicose veins, because, in both cases, the symptoms are caused by pressure on nerves by dilated veins.
