What Causes Varicose Veins?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
2. Causes of Varicose Veins
Veins are the blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart for re-oxygenation in the lungs before recirculation. For this to work, one-way valves within the vein need to be in good condition. Varicose veins develop when the one-way valves weaken as a result of abnormal stretching of the vein walls, which causes loss of elasticity, thereby allowing back-flow of blood.
Blood eventually accumulates in the veins, causing them to enlarge and swell. This occurs mainly in veins furthest from the heart, notably the legs because the force of gravity makes it harder to push blood back to the heart.
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