Overview
Varicose veins are swollen, engorged blood vessels that bulge just under your skin’s surface. These blue or purple bulges usually appear in your legs, feet and ankles. They can be painful or itchy. Spider veins, which may surround varicose veins, are smaller red or purple lines that appear close to your skin’s surface.
You may not like the way varicose veins look or feel, but they aren’t dangerous for most people. In some cases, severe varicose veins can lead to serious health problems, like blood clots. You can relieve most varicose vein symptoms at home. If you have a more serious case, you may need treatment with injections, laser therapy or surgery from your healthcare provider.
Varicose veins are very common.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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