You feel them as a weight in your legs at the end of the day. You see them as tiny spider veins or bluish cords under your skin. Varicose veins are a much more common condition than you might think, and although they are often associated with age, they can appear at any time.

The good news is that understanding what they are and adopting healthy habits can make a big difference in their prevention and management. In this comprehensive guide, we explain everything you need to know in a clear and concise way.

What exactly are varicose veins?

Imagine the veins in your legs as pipes with tiny valves that open to allow blood to flow to the heart and close to prevent it from flowing backward due to gravity.

A varicose vein appears when these valves weaken or become damaged. Because they don’t close properly, blood pools and stagnates in the vein, causing it to swell, dilate, and become visible under the skin. This is what we know as a varicose vein.

Although they can appear anywhere on the body, varicose veins are most common in the legs and feet, as these are the areas where blood has to work harder to return to the heart.

Common Symptoms and Risk Factors
Not all varicose veins are painful, but it’s important to know the symptoms and the factors that increase the likelihood of developing them.

Symptoms You May Notice