What Causes Spider Veins and Varicose Veins? 6 Leading Risk Factors for Spider Veins
Your veins are responsible for carrying blood from your heart to the rest of your body and then back to your heart again. To do this, your veins have one-way valves that open to let the blood flow through and then close to prevent it from flowing backwards. When these valves are working properly, the blood flows smoothly and your veins look healthy. However, if the valves become damaged or weakened, they may not close properly. This is called venous insufficiency, and it can cause blood to pool in your veins, which can lead to spider veins and varicose veins.
CVI is a progressive condition, which means it gets worse over time. The first signs of CVI are usually small spider veins. These are usually harmless and don’t cause any pain or discomfort. However, over time the condition can progress to larger varicose veins. These veins can be painful and uncomfortable, and can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Some of the earliest warning signs and symptoms of venous insufficiency include leg swelling, leg pain, leg heaviness, frequent leg cramps, and restless leg syndrome. If left untreated, you may also experience leg ulceration and deep vein thrombosis.
Several factors can contribute to venous insufficiency, including genetics, age, pregnancy, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Additionally, if you have a family history of spider veins or varicose veins, you may be more likely to develop them yourself. If you have a high risk of spider veins and varicose veins, you should visit a medical center for vein treatment in New Jersey. Our vein doctors will carefully examine your leg veins, determine if you may have vein disease, and provide lifestyle recommendations to reduce the risk of bumps on veins.
You can find our medical centers for vein treatment in Clifton, Paramus, Woodland Park, and Woodbridge. Our office in Woodland Park is located at 1167 McBride Ave Suite 2, close to the Garden State Plaza. Below, we describe the risk factors for spider veins and varicose veins. Please schedule an appointment at your nearest medical center for vein treatment in New Jersey.
#1. Genetics
Spider veins and varicose veins are common, and often run in families. If you have them, chances are good that your mother or grandmother did, too. In fact, genetics is the leading risk factor for these unsightly veins. That’s because certain genetic factors can contribute to your vein valves being weaker or more prone to getting damaged, which directly contributes to the formation of spider veins and varicose veins.
#2. Age
Age is the most common risk factor for spider veins and varicose veins. That’s because as we age, the valves in our veins weaken. When these valves don’t work properly, blood can pool in the veins and cause them to enlarge and twist. Individuals over 50 years of age have a fairly high risk of suffering from spider veins, varicose veins, and other symptoms of vein disease.
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#3. Sex
Women have a higher risk of spider veins and varicose veins than men for a variety of reasons.
- Women usually have a higher percentage of body fat than men, which puts pressure on the veins, leading to a higher risk of damaged vein valves.
- Menopause can cause changes in a woman’s hormones. These changes can make the veins less elastic and more likely to get damaged, leading to spider veins and varicose veins.
- Women who use birth control pills may also be at a higher risk for spider veins and varicose veins. The pills can cause changes in the hormones, which can make the veins less elastic.
- Women who wear high heels may also be at a higher risk for spider veins and varicose veins. Wearing high heels can put extra pressure on the veins in the legs, leading to vein disease.
- Women also have higher levels of the estrogen and progesterone hormones, which have been shown to cause a relaxation of the vein valves, which leads to spider veins.
#4. Pregnancy
Pregnancy increases the risk of spider veins and varicose veins for a few reasons. First, as the baby grows, it puts pressure on the veins in the pelvis and legs. This extra pressure can cause the veins to become enlarged and tortuous. Second, pregnancy hormone levels can cause the walls of the veins to relax and weaken, which can also lead to veins becoming enlarged. Finally, the increased blood volume in the veins during pregnancy can cause the veins to dilate and become more visible.
#5. Medical History
If you have a history of blood clots, you may be at a higher risk for spider veins and varicose veins. These clots can block blood flow and cause pain, swelling, and other symptoms. A history of blood clots also indicates that your vein valves may be compromised, leading to a high risk of spider veins and varicose veins.
#6. Occupation
A sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for developing spider veins and varicose veins. When you are inactive, the blood flow in your veins slows down and the valves in your veins may not work properly. This can cause the blood to pool in your veins and put pressure on the walls of your veins. If you have a job that requires you to sit or stand for long periods of time, you are more likely to develop vein disease Occupations that involve a higher risk of vein disease include driving, piloting, teaching, nursing, and desk jobs.
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