A member asked:

Do varicose veins imply poor circulation and possible increase in risk of heart disease?

28 doctors weighed in across 6 answers

No: Varicose veins are due to incompetent valves in the veins of the legs. It does not reflect on your heart. When you stand for long periods of time, gravity assists in pooling of the blood in the lower extremities. The same happens when sitting for long periods of time since blood flow back to the heart is impeded by the pressure on the back of your legs.

Answered 6/15/2018

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Dr. Michael Leary answered

Specializes in Vascular Surgery

No: No. Varicose veins have nothing to do with the health of your heart or increase risk of heart disease. They are a sign of vein disease, usually weak valves in one the large superfical veins or the deep veins. They are not related to the arteries, or blockage of the arteries, which does have an increased risk of heart disease.

Answered 6/15/2018

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Dr. Ted King answered

Fortunately, no: Heart disease is related to poor arterial circulation. Varicose veins don't influence blood flow through arteries so it is possible to have varicose veins and have perfectly healthy arteries. It is possible to have arterial and venous trouble at the same time, but few people are that unlucky. Fortunately, there is no connection at all between varicose veins and a person's risk of heart disease.

Answered 7/20/2012

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Dr. Michael Korona answered

Specializes in Radiology - Interventional

Varicose veins: Varicose veins do affect circulation of the leg or legs in question as the veins do not drain properly, but don't cause disease of the arteries which is called pad. Pad is a marker for heart disease and vascular disease of the neck vessels which can lead to stroke. Check out heart.Org.

Answered 7/20/2012

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Dr. Rodeen Rahbar answered

Specializes in Surgery

No: Varicose veins do not imply anything about poor circulation nor about heart disease risk. They are different diseases.

Answered 6/15/2018

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Dr. Joel Gotvald answered

Specializes in Vascular Surgery

Varicose veins: The presence of varicose veins do no increase your risk of heart disease. Varicose veins tend to be isolated to the legs and do not increase the risk of developing artery disease or heart disease. There is a slight increase risk of blood clots in patients with varicose veins. Leg veins tend to worsen with time & cause some serious health issues in the legs so seek vascular surgeon opinion.

Answered 5/5/2015

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