What Causes Varicose Veins?

Understanding Venous Insufficiency

Veins return blood to the heart. Proper vein blood flow occurs against gravity. Pumped by the leg muscles, venous blood travels through one way valves in the veins which only allow upward flow toward the heart.

Venous insufficiency occurs when the one way valves fail or “leak”, allowing blood in the vein to follow gravity & flow backward toward the feet. This causes pressure to build up in the veins, distending them so that they bulge out of the surface of the skin.

Symptoms such as aching, fatigue, swelling & skin color changes can occur and worsen over time if left untreated.