Professionals are unsure why veins become weak and valves allow blood to flow back the way it came, but there are things that increase your chance of having varicose veins. These include being female, being overweight, and being pregnant.
Being Overweight
As varicose veins are caused by the veins weakening whilst fighting against gravity to push the blood back to the heart, having excess fat will mean the veins have an even tougher fight to get that blood back to the heart. Being overweight causes extra pressure to the veins and therefore the valves, meaning over time that these valves may become weaker and allow blood flow to leak back through. Unfortunately, women are more likely to be affected, as overweight women seem to suffer from varicose veins more than men.
Pregnancy
When you are pregnant, not only does your body needs to supply blood to its own cells but it also has to supply the baby’s cells for the fetus to thrive and grow. This extra blood flow through the body can cause extra pressure on the veins. Pregnancy also causes hormone levels to increase, causing the blood vessels muscular walls to relax, which is another risk factor for varicose veins. Varicose veins can occur in the pelvic region as the womb begins to grow and the surrounding skin stretches, causing extra pressure on the veins. Most women find once the baby has been born that these varicose veins significantly improve.
Age
As you become older, so does the rest of your body, including your veins. These veins have been working since the moment they were developed in the womb and they never rest. Over time, the valves may become weaker and the veins become less elastic, causing varicose veins to form, especially in the legs.
Occupation
If you have a job where you are constantly on your feet and standing up, your veins are working against gravity more than someone who has a desk job. This means your veins may be working harder as blood doesn’t flow as easily whilst we are standing.
Many of the causes of varicose veins cannot be helped and cannot be avoided. Unfortunately, women have the biggest risk for varicose veins due to their hormones and bearing a child. If you believe you have varicose veins, contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best varicose vein doctor in New York.