WHAT CAUSES VARICOSE VEINS? WHAT IS VEIN INSUFFICIENCY?
Blood in our arteries and veins is subject to the pull of gravity. In arteries, that pull is negligible because the pressure generated by our heart greatly overcomes it. In veins, blood pressure is minimal, (about 0-5 vs. about 120 in arteries) and the pull of gravity is therefore significant. This leads to pooling of blood in dependent areas of the body (legs and feet for those of us who spend much of the day upright). The tendency of blood to pool in the legs should be counteracted by the action of valves within the veins that only allow blood to flow in one direction (back to the heart). For many reasons these valves can ‘wear out’ and leak. This is called valve incompetence. Although it is more common in women, valve incompetence also affects many men. Incompetence is induced particularly by hormonal cycles and pressure changes related to pregnancy. It also is made worse by occupations and lifestyles that require prolonged standing in place. Heredity is also a component. As valves
