As one of the leading venous conditions in the world, varicose veins plague more than half of the population. Generally, varicose veins and inheritance were not previously considered the likely cause of their development. However, in recent years it’s become known that those who have parents with varicose veins have an increased chance of developing the condition by over 90%when both parents were affected. It’s also the case for women to find varicose veins on their bodies more than men by 25%. At Canada Vein Clinics, varicose veins are at the center of our treatments to help our patients overcome their worry and discomfort when it comes to these stressed veins.
So, how do genetics increase the likelihood of developing varicose veins?
As we explore the reason behind how heredity influences our development of varicose veins, it’s important to talk about the mechanics of how incompetent veins come about. Varicose veins are defined by the inefficient functioning of backward blood flow from the lower half of the body back toward the heart. When we see varicose veins in our patients, more often than not there are other issues deeper than these superficial veins, and it’s our job to explore all possible concerns before we do any treatment to remove them at Canada Vein Clinics. The severity of these varicose veins—how dilated the veins have become, whether they cause pain during movement or sleep or their overall inefficiency—is what we look to explore further.
Poor Vein Structure
The structure of the veins is important so that they may serve the function they’re intended for, which is to make sure that blood moves in one forward or upward direction and that no blood falls backward down the vein causing reflux. To do that, these veins use small valves with flaps that open to pump blood forward into the next section of the vein and then close before blood is pumped through. If your parents were born with valves that couldn’t hold blood properly within the veins, you are likely to inherit this inefficient valve composition as well.
In addition to having weak valves, it may be that one or both parents had too few valves throughout their venous system that supported blood flow. It all boils down to the unique composition of your veins, including the strength of your inherited vein walls, valves, and muscle density, which acts as compression for your deep veins.
During your initial consultation for vein therapy, we will go through a detailed family history of venous conditions to understand your likelihood of acquiring varicose veins. The earlier we know what to expect, the better we can plan for these venous conditions and compose the best treatment plans for you.
Our varicose vein treatments include:
- Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) or Ablation (EVLA)
- VenaSeal
- ClariVein Treatment
- Schlerotherapy
- Mini-Phlebectomy
Genetics is becoming known as the leading cause of developing varicose veins, but we offer every patient customized treatment plans at the earliest stages to reduce their prevalence and appearance.
Call Canada Vein Clinics today to schedule your complimentary consultation and find peace of mind over your chances of acquiring varicose veins.
