Why Varicose Veins Mostly Occur in the Legs

More than 40 million people in the United States suffer from varicose veins. Though varicose veins can appear in the arms or hands - or anywhere else in the body - the most common place to find them is in the legs. But why is that?

It turns out, physics is largely to blame for the occurrence of varicose veins in the legs and feet.

Here’s why:

Varicose Veins in the Legs

So why do varicose veins occur primarily in your legs? In one word: gravity.Let’s discuss how veins work before we get into why varicose veins develop in legs.

Veins have one job: to move blood from the extremities back to the heart. In order to do this, they have a series of one-way valves that, when working properly, prevent blood from flowing in the wrong direction. However, if those valves stop functioning correctly, the blood slows down and may begin to pool in the veins. This pooling blood puts extra pressure on the walls of the veins, causing them to expand and deform, which results in the twisted appearance of varicose veins.

Now, let’s discuss why varicose veins occur mostly in the legs.

Veins in the legs have three challenges working against them. For starters, the veins in your arms and the rest of your body are closer to your heart than your legs are. The leg veins have to work harder to pump blood back to the heart, but this is compounded by the second problem: gravity.

When you’re standing or sitting, the veins in your legs have to fight gravity to return blood back to the heart. This makes it much easier for blood to pool in the lower extremities than other parts of the body.

Finally, the legs are put at risk during long periods of inactivity. When you sit or stand for long periods of time, your muscles are not contracting as they usually do, which is what helps your blood pump back up toward the heart.

These three issues combined are why your legs are the primary place that varicose veins occur.

Treatment for Varicose Veins

While some people do have prominent veins on their hands or arms, they are rarely varicose veins. These veins don’t generally cause physical pain or discomfort, so it’s not as necessary to treat them. However, varicose veins in the legs can prevent patients from participating in the everyday activities they love.

When it comes to treating these ugly, uncomfortable varicose veins, patients have a few options. Contact Elmore Medical to schedule an initial consultation. We’ll diagnose your varicose veins, discuss your treatment options, and even help you determine if your treatment will be covered by insurance.

Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us today to set up a consultation appointment.