Exactly what causes varicose veins has yet
to be identified, however it is well understood in this field that
there are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing
this condition.
- Heredity explains varicose vein occurrence
in more than two thirds of cases. Your family may
have a genetic
predisposition to weakened vein walls, which can cause varicose
veins. If you know someone closely related to you has varicose
veins, then you may be more likely to get varicose veins yourself.
- As
we age we are more vulnerable to developing
varicose veins.
- Obesity results in extra pressure on the
valves inside the veins and ultimately can cause their failure,
thereby causing varicose
veins.
- The fluctuation in levels of hormones during
puberty, pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), menopause
and the
use of the birth control pill is recognized as a potential cause of varicose
veins.
- Gender is also a factor, as women tend to get
varicose veins marginally more frequently than men.
- There
are risks inherent in certain types of occupations. Jobs that
demand extended periods of sitting or standing increase
the blood pressure in the veins, weakening the valve function.
- Pregnant
women are particularly vulnerable to varicose veins because of
the increased volume of blood in the veins,
higher levels of the hormone progesterone and greater pressure
on the veins in the pelvic area. However, varicose veins that
appear at this time often resolve within a few months after the
birth of the baby.
Sometimes varicose veins can be indicative of other, more serious,
conditions:
- Deep vein injury, blockages such as a
blood clot, or arteriovenus fistula, which is an abnormal connection
between a vein and artery.
