Posted on 14th April, 2023 at 4:51:52 AM
Growing age, vein injuries, gender, medical history of blood clots, family history of varicose veins, and a job that requires extended durations of sitting or standing in the same positions are factors that increase the chances of the development of varicose veins. Other than these factors, obesity is another major contributor to varicose vein development but not all patients are aware of how their weight affects their vascular health. Understanding the relationship between excess body fat and venous disorders will help in better management of both these medical complications.
The excessive body weight places additional pressure on the veins of the legs and makes it difficult for them to pump the deoxygenated blood back to the heart against the gravitational pull of the earth. Over time, this leads to failure of the vein valves and results in excessive blood pooling. Varicose veins are visible as enlarged and swollen veins and can be often seen as bulging out from the surface of the skin. These cause irritation and a feeling of heaviness in the affected area. In critical cases, the patient may find it difficult to move around or walk without support.
How Weight Can Mask Varicose Veins
Obesity not only causes varicose veins but also conceals (hides) them. In obese patients, the varicose veins are often masked under numerous layers of fat, especially on the legs, and this is the primary reason they go unseen and untreated for a long period of time. Varicose veins in obese patients are not as closer to the skin surface as they are for people who maintain a healthy weight. In obese patients, varicose veins are not visible to the naked eye and are thus difficult to be diagnosed via physical examination alone. Lack or delay in treatment of varicose veins progresses the condition to more serious medical disorders namely chronic venous insufficiency, blood clots in deep veins, venous ulcers, and even pulmonary embolism that can even lead to loss of life.
