What can cause varicose veins, and are they a health risk?

Minor health risks: Varicose veins are dilated veins which have become incompetent in keeping blood flow in one direction--see pic here. Overtime, they can get quite large. Often, they are more of a cosmetic problem rather than medical. For some, they can cause pain. Clotting/bleeding and secondary infection can occur at the site of trauma. If they are bothersome to you, consult doc. Good luck.

Vein health Risk: Varicose veins is a term that is used by patients and physician to cover a wide variety of vein problems. From spider veins to ropy veins to frank venous aneurysm. Physician examination to include focused ultrasound review of the veins is key. Ultrasound review must include review of venous flow patterns looking for venous reflux or backward venous flow. Treatment is then based on findings.

Heredity: The major cause of varicose veins is heredity, so the only thing you can do to truly minimize your risk is to change your grandparents. Other things can make varicose veins worse than they would have been otherwise but the initial cause is still genetics. Often, varicose veins are little more than a cosmetic problem ( a real problem nonetheless) but serious problems can arise as dr. Nguyen said

Varicose veins: There are many causes include heredity, obesity, multiple pregnancies, jobs that require prolonged standing, local trauma, previous clots, etc. Treatment is either medical ,compression stockings, or surgical, minimally invasive procedures and can include phlebectomy, sclerotherapy, EVLA, RFA. Meet with a surgeon experienced in treatment of this problem to discuss options after having an ultrasound