What Increases Your Risk

Factors that increase your risk of developing varicose veins include:

• Pregnancy (particularly repeated pregnancies).
• Being female.
• Advancing age.
• Being overweight (tends to be a stronger factor in women). Having low muscle mass and high body fat decreases the support for the veins.
• Family history of varicose veins.
• Prolonged sitting or standing.
• Conditions that increase pressure in the abdomen, such as liver disease, fluid in the abdomen, previous groin surgery, or heart failure.
• Injury to the veins.
• Blood clots.