Vein Prevention

Can varicose veins and spider veins be prevented?

This is a common question patients ask and one for which there is no absolute answer. If you have a family history of varicose or spider veins and its something you have inherited there is obviously nothing you can do to change your genes. If you have a rare condition such as the congenital absence of the one way vein valves it also is something you were born with (or without) and there is little you can do. Being overweight may very well help varicose veins and spider veins to form as this serves to add pressure (weight), onto the legs and make it that much more difficult for the venous blood of the legs to get back up to the heart. Smoking, and drinking are not believed to be related to the presence of varicose and spider veins aside from any weight they may add to your body. Diet also, may be only a weight related issue.

The arteries and veins generally suffer from different medical conditions and the foods we are warned to avoid that are high in fat and cholesterol do cause "hardening of the arteries" but have no effect on the leg veins. Support hose can provide relief from the symptoms of the venous pooling as they act to help 'squeeze' the veins so less blood is held in the vessels. It is generally felt that long term, support hose wearing will not prevent veins from forming or cause those veins you already have to disappear.