Varicose Veins Causes & Risks

Causes

Veins have one way valves to channel blood back to the heart. Varicose veins develop when the valves of the veins become damaged. This causes blood to pool in the veins, enlarging them and often making the veins just beneath the skin visible.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for varicose veins include:

Family members with varicose veins
Sex: female
Age: childbearing age and older
Hormonal changes, as with puberty, pregnancy, or menopause
Pressure on the veins of the pelvis, as with pregnancy or an abdominal tumor
Overweight
Working at a job that requires standing on your feet for long periods
Wearing knee-high socks or stockings with tight elastic
Previous leg injury

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