What factors increase my risk of developing varicose veins and spider veins?

Published: 7 June 2016

Varicose veins are common!

About 50 to 55 percent of women and 40 to 45 percent of men over the age of 50 have varicose veins.

Every vein has valves that allow one directional flow. The basic problem is that for whatever reason, these valves fail, allowing blood to pool due to gravity. This increasing pressure in the affected vein generally and therefore increasing the size of the vein and its side branches.

Overall we are uncertain why this occurs in some people and not others.

There are some factors which are thought to increase a person’s chances of developing them.

These include the following:

Family history: About half of all people who have varicose veins have a family member who has them too.
Increasing age. As you get older, valves in your veins may weaken and fail.
Menopause.
Varicose veins usually improve within 3 months after delivery. Likelihood of developing varicose veins increase with each additional pregnancy.
Lack of movement.Prolonged sitting or standing.
Sun exposure.
Congenital causes.
Deep vein thrombosis.

Overall there is little that one can do to limit the development of venous disease.

If you have venous disease but are unsure whether these are of any clinical significance, please give us a call and organise an appointment.

We can discuss your particular venous issue, discuss options and create an individualised treatment plan if required. The venous disease that you have may well require reassurance only with no treatment required.

To make an appointment today to have your venous disease assessed by Dr Berman, please phone 9561 5155