What causes varicose veins?

The normal function of leg veins is to carry blood back to the heart. During walking activity, the calf muscle acts as a pump, compressing the leg veins and forcing blood back towards the heart. To prevent blood from going in the wrong direction, veins have one-way valves valves that prevent blood from flowing backwards down the leg. If the valves are faulty (a condition known as valvular incompetence), blood flows back into superficial veins and down the leg. This process is known as reflux. Reflux results in veins enlarging and becoming varicose. Once veins become varicose, they lose their ability to snap back into their correct shape, and become more plastic rather than elastic. Varicose veins unfortunately cannot heal themselves, and this condition is either stabilized with compression hose, or managed with one of the vein treatment plans. The greater saphenous vein is one of the most frequently damaged veins that leads to varicose veins in the leg.

One clear factor is heredity. Most patients who suffer from varicose veins have a family history of the condition. Another factor is hormonal changes that specifically affect women. Pregnancy or birth control pills further increase your chances of developing vein disorders. Other contributing factors include prolonged standing, being overweight and/or trauma to the leg.

One clear factor is heredity. Most patients who suffer from varicose veins have a family history of the condition. Another factor is hormonal changes that specifically affect women. Pregnancy or birth control pills further increase your chances of developing vein disorders. Other contributing factors include prolonged standing, being overweight, and trauma to the leg.

Increase in the diameter of a vein results in the malfunction of valves inside of the vein that are designed to prevent blood from flowing backward in the vein. An inherited weakness of the vein wall (genetic) and circulating hormones that relax the smooth muscle of the vein wall are the common causes. Females have high levels of such a hormone, the hormone progesterone. Pregnancies, obesity, hormone replacement therapy, the use of female oral contraceptives as well as occupations that require a standing position are additional causes of varicose veins. Since females usually have multiple risk factors for the development of varicose veins, about three fourths of the persons who have varicose veins are women and 25% are men.  more

Increase in the diameter of a vein results in the malfunction of valves inside of the vein that are designed to prevent blood from flowing backward in the vein. An inherited weakness of the vein wall (genetic) and circulating hormones that relax the smooth muscle of the vein wall are the most common causes. Females have high levels of such a hormone, the hormone progesterone. Pregnancies, obesity, hormone replacement therapy, the use of female oral contraceptives as well as occupations that require a standing position are additional causes of varicose veins. Since females usually have multiple risk factors for the development of varicose veins, about three fourths of the persons who have varicose veins are women and 25% are men.  more

Varicose veins were once part of the superficial venous system which normally returns only 5-10% of the blood flow from the legs back to the heart. Varicose veins begin when tiny one-way valves inside veins wear out over time. When these valves fail, blood falls down the veins with gravity causing excessive pressure to build up inside the veins. The veins swell and become tortuous. Once a vein is damaged by this process it can never again function as a healthy vein.

A. Heredity is the number one contributing factor causing varicose and spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from abnormal leg veins. More than 50% of American women may be affected. Hormonal factors including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, the use of birth control pills, estrogen, and progesterone affect the disease. It is very common for pregnant women to develop varicose veins. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood volume which in turn cause veins to enlarge. In addition, the enlarged uterus causes increased pressure on the veins. Varicose veins due to pregnancy often improve within 3 months after delivery. However, with successive pregnancies, abnormal veins are more likely to remain. Other predisposing factors include aging, standing occupations, obesity and leg injury.  more

The causes of varicose veins are unclear. However, some factors have been identified that may contribute to the development of varicose and spider veins: family history of varicose veins, female hormones (internally produced or taken by prescription), pregnancy, trauma, age, obesity, and prolonged standing. Extensive exposure to the sun may also cause spider veins on the face. Please visit Prevention for more information on the causes of “varicose veins”.  more

Veins are part of the blood circulation system. Leg veins have flexible valves inside that help the blood flow back to the heart when standing and walking. If the valves stop working the leg veins become varicose. Why this happens in some people and not others is not really understood.  more

The cause of varicose veins is unknown but is definitely linked to increase pressure in the veins. There are valves in the veins which prevent the back flow of blood back into the legs. When these valves become damaged/defective, the blood flows backwards and causes swelling and engorgement of the veins.  more