5 tips to lower your likelihood of having varicose veins and spider veins

• 21 December 2023
• Dr Jane Li

Last updated on December 21, 2023

Have you wondered why do some people get varicose veins or spider veins while others don’t?

Many factors contribute to the development of varicose veins.

The most common risk factors are unavoidable:

• Hereditary
  • Family history of varicose veins or spider veins
  • Tall height increases pressure in the legs
• Acquired
  • Blood clots causing obstruction in the veins and back flow
  • Ageing process
  • Obesity
  • Multiple pregnancies
  • Hormonal factors
  • Prolong standing

Varicose veins and especially spider veins may not have any serious health impact, so it is important to keep a balanced perspective on these chronic conditions. Spider veins are usually a cosmetic problem due the unsightly blue marks or red blotches covering the visible areas of the leg, making some people self conscious and preventing them from wearing shorts or skirts. Occasionally spider veins are associated with intense itchiness or localised discomfort. Varicose veins can be asymptomatic and left alone. In moderate to severe cases, they can cause heaviness sensation and swelling symptoms in the legs. A small number of people could experience ulceration, clots or bleeding from blood pooling inside the veins causing poorer circulation and venous return.

As of now, there has been no scientific trials to test if lifestyle changes are effective in reversing or slowing down the development of varicose veins and spider veins. Weight loss and exercise we know can change the body’s hormonal balance but importantly these can reduce the extra venous pressure on your legs that make valves leaky.

Wearing compression stockings can improve the return of blood from the legs to the heart and provide some tone to the leaky veins to help slow down the progression of varicose veins and spider veins. The stockings need to be properly sized to fit your calves and thighs otherwise they can do more harm than good. They also need to be medical grade so a graduated amount of pressure is applied to your legs to reduce swelling and discomfort, typically Grade 1 or 2 stockings are enough.

Generally we would recommend avoid prolong standing or sitting, but that can be hard to avoid if your job involves just that. Tobacco smoking has been shown in epidemiological study to be associated with venous reflux disease, likely due to oxidative stress and vessel wall damage from exposure to toxins.

Unfortunately if you have a strong family history, it may not be possible to avoid the inevitable but it is worth while considering what can be done to reduce the likelihood or slow down the development of varicose veins and spider veins. Here are our 5 recommendations: weight loss, regular exercise such as walking or stretching, stop smoking, avoid long periods of standing and try to wear medical grade compression stockings as often as possible, especially in those with a family history or at the later stages of pregnancy.