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Varicose Veins
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Blood Heart Circulation

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins caused by weakened or damaged valves that allow blood to pool under the skin.

Overview

Varicose veins are visible, swollen, and twisted veins that usually occur in the legs, though they can form elsewhere. Hemorrhoids are a specific type of varicose vein. Under normal conditions, one-way valves in the veins keep blood flowing toward the heart. When these valves are weak or damaged, blood backs up and pools, causing the veins to swell.

Risk Factors

Varicose veins are common, with increased risk associated with:

  • Advanced age
  • Being female
  • Obesity
  • Lack of exercise
  • Family history
  • Pregnancy

Management and Treatment

Doctors typically diagnose varicose veins through a physical exam. Lifestyle adjustments can prevent them from worsening, including:

  • Exercising and losing weight
  • Elevating legs when resting
  • Avoiding crossing legs while sitting
  • Wearing loose clothing
  • Avoiding long periods of standing

If the veins are painful or cause aesthetic concerns, a doctor may recommend procedures to remove them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Use a footstool or a low, stable box to raise your feet a few inches while seated; if you stand, place a small wedge under the heels or take short, frequent breaks to sit and prop the legs up on a chair. Aim for 5‑10 minutes of elevation every hour.
If a vein becomes painful, throbbing, or tender, develops skin discoloration, ulceration, swelling that worsens after standing, or you notice blood clots (deep vein thrombosis symptoms such as warmth, redness, and sudden leg swelling), you should see a doctor promptly.
Hormonal changes and increased blood volume during pregnancy can enlarge veins. Pregnant women should avoid prolonged standing, sleep with a pillow under the knees, wear supportive maternity compression stockings, and perform gentle calf‑muscle pumps (ankle circles) several times daily to promote circulation.
Compression stockings can slow progression, especially when graded (higher pressure at the ankle, decreasing upward). For mild to moderate veins, 15‑20 mmHg is typical; for more pronounced veins, 20‑30 mmHg may be advised. Get measured by a professional to ensure proper fit and wear them during daytime, removing at night.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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