Varicose veins

What are varicose veins?

The veins are the blood vessels that take blood back to the heart. Varicose veins are veins that have widened and they are usually seen in the legs. The term 'varicose veins' is used when the arteries in the legs are clearly blue, thicker and twisted.

What are the complaints associated with varicose veins?

Varicose veins do not result in problems for most people. People with varicose veins do sometimes have itching, a heavy tired feeling in the legs or pain in the legs.

Varicose veins can result in skin conditions. If the flow of blood from the legs to the heart is reduced, the legs may retain fluid. The lower legs may be somewhat swollen, particularly after long periods of sitting or standing. The swelling and congestion can result in skin problems in the lower leg: redness, scaliness (eczema) or discoloration. In some cases, wounds may develop in the lower leg over time that heal only with difficulty (a 'venous ulcer'). The varicose vein can also become inflamed and this results in a red, swollen, painful, hard strand in the location of the varicose vein.

People with intellectual disabilities sometimes find it impossible to communicate symptoms associated with varicose veins. The people around them may then notice only a change in behaviour.

How common are varicose veins in the general population?

The prevalence of varicose veins varies depending on the definition used. If the definition is broad, more than half of all adults in the western world can be considered to have some form of varicose veins. Only a small proportion of people with varicose veins go to see their GP. ²⁴³

The Dutch Ongoing Morbidity Registry states a prevalence rate of 10% in women and 2% in men. The prevalence of varicose veins rises from 0.3% in the 15 to 24 age category to 29.6% in people aged over seventy-five. ²⁴⁴

How common are varicose veins in people with intellectual disabilities?

This is not known.