What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged, ropey veins that sit just beneath the skin, usually on the legs. They form when the one-way valves inside your veins weaken or stop closing properly. Blood that should be moving back toward the heart pools instead, stretching the vein walls until they bulge.
Most varicose veins are blue or dark purple, and they may twist or bunch in a way that’s noticeably different from healthy veins. Smaller, web-like surface veins are called spider veins, which share the same root cause but stay closer to the skin.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Some people only notice the appearance. Others experience aching, heaviness, swelling around the ankles, night cramps, restless legs or itching. Varicose veins are often a visible sign of underlying circulatory issues and, left untreated, may worsen and lead to more advanced chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
What Causes Varicose Veins in the Legs?
The veins in your legs do hard work. They carry blood upward, against gravity, with the help of small valves that prevent backflow. When those valves weaken, blood pools in the lower legs and pressure builds. Over time, the vein stretches and bulges to the surface.
Several factors raise your risk:
- Family history of vein disease
- Pregnancy, which increases blood volume and pelvic pressure
- Long hours of standing or sitting (nurses, teachers, factory workers, drivers)
- Excess body weight
- Hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy and menopause
- Aging and natural loss of vein elasticity
- A previous blood clot or leg injury
Women are more likely to develop varicose veins than men, though men account for a meaningful share of the patients we see, especially those whose work keeps them on their feet. Genetics also play a larger role than most people realize. If one or both of your parents had varicose veins, your odds go up considerably.
