One in three Americans over 45 suffer from some form of vein disease. As you age, the potential for developing vein disease increases due to veins weakening. If you find that you suffer from any vein complications such as varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, chronic venous disease, or any other types of vein disease, you might wonder what causes vein disease, or how you might have prevented it.
There are several factors for vein disease, some conditional and some not. A better understanding of vein disease will help protect your veins against blood clots, spider veins, and more.
Vein Disease Causes
Aging
As we lose collagen, the walls of our veins break down and lose elasticity. Smaller issues that may not have meant anything can be exacerbated as the vein walls stretch and leak. This can result in vein diseases such as varicose veins or spider veins. The success rates after treatment do not vary based on age, so no matter how old or young you are, treating your vein disease should still provide positive results.
Genetics
There are studies that suggest the vein disease is hereditary. Chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, occurs when small valves inside the veins don’t work properly and allow blood back into the vessel. There have been studies that strongly indicate that if you have one parent with varicose veins, your chances of developing them go up 40%. If both parents suffer from some form of vein disease, your risk goes up to 90%.
Gender
Ladies, understanding risk factors for vein disease is especially important for you. Women are 2 ½ times more likely to develop varicose or spider veins, due mostly to progesterone, which can cause vein walls to stretch. Progesterone is especially high during pregnancy and veins that stretch for 9 months while a woman is pregnant may never shrink.
Lifestyle
This factor is one that, thankfully, is purely conditional. Citizens in industrialized nations, like the United States, are more likely to develop vein disease due to a more sedentary lifestyle. Long periods remaining sedentary can lead to vein disease. The longer you remain in one position, the more the risk grows, so move often to promote blood flow. If you cannot move, try propping your feet on a chair or stool while sitting to elevate your veins and move blood from the heart.