Patient was instructed regarding risk factors for development of varicose veins as follows:
- Age
- With advancing age, the valves in the veins helping with unidirectional blood flow in the lower limbs, towards the heart, lose their ability to regulate the blood flow.
- Also, the veins lose their elasticity with age, allowing them to stretch beyond limits and accommodate increasing volume of venous blood, thus increasing the chances for formation of varicose veins.
- Pregnancy
- Blood volume increases during pregnancy, to support the fetal demands.
- But, the pressure exerted by the pregnancy on the veins of the lower limbs, reduces blood return from the veins to the heart and contributes to increased retention of blood in the veins of lower limbs.
- This may lead to distention of the veins with blood and contribute to development of varicosities.
- Standing for prolonged periods
- Individuals in occupations needing prolonged periods of standing are increasingly at risk for development of varicose veins.
- Prolonged standing offers significant effect of gravity, for blood volume in the veins of lower limbs to overcome, to be able to reach the heart.
- Over a period of time, the valves pushing the blood volume up along the veins to the heart, lose their ability to regulate the blood flow.
- This results in increased retention of blood in the veins and contribute to development of varicosities.
