Risk Factors for Varicose Veins

Veins are all about flow. Their primary function is to keep blood flowing to and from the heart. In the veins there are valves that regulate the flow. When the valves in these veins function improperly the blood can flow back into the vein, they then become swelled and are called Varicose Veins. Alpha Vein Clinic of Las Vegas treats this condition. The purpose of this blog is to inform our patients of the specific risk factors associated with Varicose Veins.

Specific Risk Factors

Heredity and Genetics

Varicose veins are a product of heredity, DNA, an inheritance of your genetics. There are over 40 million people with varicose veins in the United States. If someone in your family had or has varicose veins you are more likely to have them, because it is statically a fact that 50% of people with this condition also had a family member that had the problem.

Obesity

People who are overweight, specifically women, are at a greater risk factor for varicose veins. It is estimated that even women who are only moderately over weight, (25 -29.9 BMI) have a 50% greater chance of developing the condition, and women with a BMI over 30 are three times more likely to develop the condition.

Occupation

If you have a job where you are standing on your feet or sitting for prolonged periods of time you are more likely to develop varicose veins.

Gender and Age

It is estimated that 50% of the population over the age of 50 has varicose veins. Statistics also shows that women with varicose veins are at a higher rate (55%) compared to men (45%). Also varicose veins are a common occurrence of pregnancy.

Varicose veins are not necessarily life threatening and at the beginning most likely not even painful. But if left untreated they can lead to more serious problems such as swelling, ulcers or even Lichen Simplex Chronicus . Dr. Sassan Kaveh at Alpha Vein Clinic is trained to treat these diseased veins and help you get relief right away.