Are varicose veins dangerous to my health?

Varicose veins develop when the blood vessels begin losing their ability to successfully pump the blood from the extremities back to the heart. As a result, blood begins pooling in the veins, and the vein walls begin to dilate. As the blood pools, the veins swell, darken, and twist until they become visible under the skin.

Varicose veins are usually red, purple, or blue in color, and can be felt from the surface of the skin.

Causes of varicose veins include:

• Age
• Hormonal Changes
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Sedentary Lifestyle
• Smoking
• Alcohol

Generally, varicose veins do not pose a serious health risk to the patient. However, varicose veins can be a sign of and lead to other complications if they are left untreated.

Potential complications include:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Venous stasis ulcers
• Bleeding
• Pulmonary embolism
• Blood clots

Of these conditions and symptoms, the most dangerous is pulmonary embolism, where a blood clot forms and then travels into the veins in the lungs. If left undetected and untreated, pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening.