Fact Vs Fiction – The Truth About Varicose Veins

Did you know that more than 25 million people in the US are affected by varicose veins? Yet despite its prevalence, the misinformation that surrounds them makes it difficult to separate fact from fiction. Are they purely cosmetic or can they endanger your health? Does crossing your legs really cause varicose veins? We thought it would be a good idea to set the record straight once and for all by providing you with the necessary facts to help you understand the condition better. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.

Varicose Veins – What’s True and What’s Not

#1 Only women get varicose veins

Around 23% of American adults are affected by varicose veins, but contrary to popular belief, they are not just for women. Varicose veins are part of a group of veins that make up the venous system, which also includes spider veins and reticular veins. According to the American Heart Association, if you were to consider spider and reticular veins, the prevalence increases to 80% in men and 85% in women.

However, since this post is specifically about varicose veins, you should know that 22 million women and 11 million men between the ages of 40 and 80 develop varicose veins. So, it’s clearly not true that only women suffer from this condition.

#2 Everyone eventually develops varicose veins

It’s true to say that varicose veins tend to develop with age, but it’s not true that everybody gets them at some point in their life.

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are twisted, swollen veins that lie just below the skin, and typically, they tend to occur more frequently on the legs. They can occur when blood pressure increases inside the veins due to various factors including:

• Age
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Family history
• Repeatedly standing or sitting
• Sedentary lifestyle

Any of the above can raise your risk of developing varicose veins, but most definitely not everyone will get them.

3# Varicose veins are just cosmetic

While it’s easy to dismiss varicose veins as a cosmetic problem, they can have serious underlying health implications.

Varicose veins are not the same for everyone. Some varicose veins are small, while others are large. Some cause pain, some don’t. Equally, some can be a threat to your health while others aren’t. Vein specialists typically use an ultrasound machine to detect any problems that can’t be seen by the naked eye.

So, are varicose veins dangerous? The quick answer is they can be. However, the only way to know your risk is to book an appointment with a vein clinic where our board-certified interventional radiologists will determine your specific risk level.

#4 Pregnancy causes varicose veins

Although there is an association between pregnancy and varicose veins, it cannot be said that pregnancy causes varicose veins.

Pregnant women are more susceptible to varicose veins because of hormonal changes and the weight of their growing baby. This results from:

• Elevated levels of progesterone, a hormone that relaxes blood vessel walls and reduces valve efficiency.
• An increase in blood volume throughout the body.
• Pressure from the growing baby on pelvic blood vessels affects blood flow in the pelvic area and legs.

All of these factors make it harder for blood to flow upward from your legs to your heart, working against gravity.

In most cases, the veins go of their own accord shortly following pregnancy, but occasionally there may be a need to visit a vein specialist.

While pregnancy can impact veins, it isn’t the cause of varicose veins. That said, if you have several children, your veins may get worse and be less likely to disappear.

#5 Varicose vein treatment is painful

You may have heard horror stories of ‘vein stripping’, which involved 2 to 3 hours of surgery, significant pain afterward and weeks of recovery time. Fortunately, due to advances in modern technologies, modern-day vein treatments are minimally invasive, more effective, and quick to perform, and there is minimal, if any, downtime. Most patients can go back to work the following day.

Here at Mint, we utilise the latest, proven techniques including ultrasounds, lasers, foams and more. Patients are always surprised at how easy their procedure is, and best of all, all procedures are performed on an outpatient basis across our four clinics.

#6 Crossing  your legs causes varicose veins

One of the most common questions we get asked is: “Did crossing my legs cause varicose veins?” The simple answer is, No!

In varicose veins, weakened valves in the veins allow blood to flow backward, causing fluid to leak and pool. This buildup leads to the veins swelling and becoming varicose.

Although good circulation is essential for healthy legs, added pressure and constriction can aggravate vein issues. Crossing your legs may increase pressure and worsen circulation, but it isn’t the cause of varicose veins.

#7 Varicose veins are just big spider veins

Now this myth certainly isn’t true! While varicose veins are larger than spider veins their main difference is that of health and safety.

Spider veins are mostly cosmetic and rarely dangerous to your health. They are a cosmetic issue for many women and show up like small spider webs on the surface of the skin.

On the contrary, varicose veins are large, bulging and twisted veins which can cause your legs to ache and feel heavy. They can be prominent and painful to the touch, and without treatment, could lead to superficial blood clots, known as superficial thrombophlebitis or superficial venous thrombosis. In cases of severe varicose veins, there is a possibility of deep vein thrombosis occurring.

There is a lot of misleading information about the cause of varicose veins, who gets them and how to treat them, but hopefully, this article has helped dispel many of these old wives’ tales for good.

If you have any questions or concerns about your vein health, one of our vein experts will be happy to evaluate your vein health – now that is the truth!

Why not call MINT today or schedule an appointment online? We look forward to meeting you.