Varicose veins are a sign of chronic venous disease. Chronic venous disease affects the valves in your veins, whose primary function is to prevent blood from flowing backward. As a result, blood flows back into the veins, pooling in the lower leg.
The following factors can increase your risk of developing varicose veins:
- Age
- Being overweight
- Gender
- Genetics
- Sitting / standing for long periods