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Varicose veins are swollen or enlarged veins, becoming, therefore, visible in the form of a bluish or brownish path, and even, palpable. It can affect 7 out of 10 people, mainly women and older adults. Although a hereditary factor has a significant role, lifestyle is also a determining factor in their appearance. To prevent them, it is essential to perform exercise, and avoid sedentarism and obesity.
Varicose veins explained in first person
Professionals and patients explain how you live with the disease
As top treatment for the prevention would be the use of compression stockings. It has been demonstrated that they are more effective even than pharmacological treatment.
Esther Armans
Nurse
Firstly, of course, entering an operating theatre is something to think about, and there’s always a risk involved, but really, you don’t feel anything. And afterwards you feel phenomenal, because all that swelling you had in your legs, that tiredness,... disappear.
Maria
Patient
Varicose veins are permanent swelling of the superficial veins, typically in the legs, which are produced due to the dysfunction in the return action of the blood from the extremities to the heart.
The function of the arteries is to transport blood from the heart to the rest of the tissues, and that of the veins is to return the blood from the rest of the body to the heart so that it returns to circulate. Varicose veins originate due to a weakness in venous valves and walls, and some structures located in the veins that help the flow of blood to always be in the ascending direction (from the legs to the heart). If these fail, it appears what is called reflux, this means that the blood, instead of going upwards to the heart, accumulates within the veins of the legs.
Classification of varicose veins
According to their size:
Telangiectasia or spider veins. They are very small, swollen veins situated within the skin itself. They are so small that, normally, they cannot be seen by just looking, although when they swell, their outline can be seen through the skin in the form of blue coloured tracks. The large majority are usually exclusively an aesthetic problem.
Reticular varicose veins. They are enlarged, visible, subcutaneous veins of a few millimetres. On being larger than spider veins, they are palpable when they are swollen. They can be associated with occasional discomfort in the form of itching or tired legs.
Trunk varicose veins. They are swelling of the main trunks of the superficial venous system or of its branches. They are clearly palpable and usually cause discomfort (itching, pain, swelling, tired legs…). In some circumstances, they can lead to complications in the form of phlebitis, bleeding, or skin changes, such as darkening or atrophy of the skin and, finally, ulceration.
Depending on their cause:
Congenital. They appear from birth.
Primary or essential. They appear after birth, although of unknown cause.
Secondary. They appear after birth, but due to a cause, usually trauma or thrombosis of the deep venous system.
According to their location or anatomy. Associated with the internal saphenous vein, anterior saphenous vein, external saphenous vein, perforator veins of the leg…
Depending on the causal mechanism. Owing to the dysfunction of the venous system due to reflux or obstruction.
There is a classification called CEAP (Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, Pathophysiology) that groups all those previously described, enabling each case of varicose veins to be individually classified and standardised.
How many people are affected by Varicose veins?
It is estimated that 25% of the adult population in the Western world (1 in every 4 people) have frank (trunk) varicose veins, although if spider veins and reticular varicose veins are taken into account, the percentage increases up to around 70%.
They are more common in women, as well as people of advanced age. Other circumstances can increase their prevalence, such as overweight, lifestyle, or profession, among others.
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Substantiated information by:
Esther Armans Moreno
Nursing
Cardiovascular Surgery Department
Xavier Yugueros
Vascular Surgeon
Angiology and Vascular Surgery Service
Published: 19 June 2018
Updated: 19 June 2018
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