Chronic venous insufficiency, or varicose veins, is a disease that affects millions of people around the world and leads to discomfort, pain and valves. Varicose veins develop mainly in older women. People often expect complains to the doctor these patients who are overweight, work a lot in a prolonged standing position or are a perfect damage to the veins via he’ll grab their lifestyle – cigars and booze – but research disproves this assumption. Such factors including age, sex and occupations cannot suffice without sociobiological factors which are expected to shed more light among them genetics. This makes a compelling reason to look into blood relatives with this ailment: can you understand your risk? You can, but the question remains: can you pass on varicose veins to your children?

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins, is a condition wherein the veins become dilated, swollen, and tortuous and causes improper circulatory flow. Under normal conditions, veins assist in transporting blood back to the heart using the aid of small valves that prevents a back flow of blood. However, when these valves begin to weaken or become damaged, this causes blood to begin collecting within the veins, which leads to those veins stretching and becoming varicose.

They are mostly confined to the legs but the condition is so severe that it ranges from a simple cosmetic condition to more severe clinical states, for example pain, swelling and aching. If varicose veins are not treated, they can lead to fissures and disintegrations of the skin and, in the most advanced stages, to thromboembolism.

These Genetics Are Responsible For Developing Varicose Veins. To what point is it hereditary?

Evidence of Heredity

Many studies have come to define that genetics is one of the main factors associated with the occurrence of varicose veins. Actually, if there are other people in your immediate family with varicose veins, it is very likely you will develop other varicose veins.

The major underlying cause of such genetic predisposition is weakness in the walls and valves of the veins that is passed on. Pick some people and they may have inherited veins with thin walls or valves that function poorly. These genetic factors, over time, increase the chances of vein dilatation and blood stasis hence, formation of varicose veins.

Right Clinical Gene

Even though scholars remain on the hunt for the genes responsible for venous disease, preliminary data indicates that there are several genes which whenever mutated, seems to cause or promote venous insufficiency. These genes influence the venous structures and the functioning of valves within veins.

Take, for instance, certain mutations in genes that may interfere with the process of collagen production, an important protein that gives shape to the structure of the veins. Others may interfere with the amount of elastin, a protein that contributes to veins’ ability to stretch. Whenever such proteins are not in the normal state as a result of genes, chances are high that the veins will be weaker than they are supposed to, and thus, varicose veins will most likely spring up.

Additional Factors and Causes of Genetics

Although genes remain one of the most important causes of the appearance of the disease, in many cases other risk factors that may aggravate or provoke the disease are also present. Among these are:

Age

With age, the valves that are in the veins become less competent and blood stasis is often the result. Individuals who are at high risk of getting varicose veins due to pathological inheritance tend to suffer the symptoms of affected veins prematurely as they age unlike those that do not have such genetic history.

Gender

It has been established that women are at a higher risk of developing varicose veins in comparison to men. This is because the changes in hormones during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause makes the veins more vulnerable to Vasodilation. These hormonal changes worsen the condition especially if one has a tendency to develop varicose veins genetically.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy raises the hematologic titer, causing additional stress on blood conduits – veins. And even more, the enlarging uterus also compresses the pelvic and lower limb veins which adds to the risk of developing varicosities especially for those anxious women with the familial background of such instances.

Obesity

The extra weight that people carry subjects the lower leg veins to more pressure. Individuals references state that due to genetic make-up, one person might become obese and develop varicose veins which becomes a risk.

Prolonged Standing or Sitting

Occupations that confine workers from moving around for long hours either to stand or to sit are predisposed to advance the risk of varicosity. Hereditary factors build up the likelihood of developing vein pathologies since long periods of inactivity are part of their everyday life.

Can You Prevent Varicose Veins If They’re In Your DNA?

Although genetics and varicose veins do not mix, a person’s concern is whether there are ways to stop their occurrence or at least slow down the visible abnormalities as the individual understands that there is a direct propensity toward it.

1. Continue to control your weight: If you’re able to control your weight, the pressure on the veins will be reduced or eliminated and blood circulation will be improved which will decrease the chances of developing varicose veins.
2. Exercise: If you are habitually inactive, you may be at risk of developing varicose veins. Engaging in physical exercises such as walking, cycling, and swimming can have a positive effect on vein health as these activities are low impact.
3. Elevate Your Legs: While sitting or lying in a reclined position, lift your legs up so that they are above your heart. This encourages circulation in the area preventing blood from accumulating in the veins.
4. Wear Compression Stockings: These stockings help the veins do their job and transport blood to the heart as they usually make the legs feel fresh and fit. Wearing these is highly recommended for Vulnerable people like patients with family history of varicose veins.
5. Keep moving: Let’s face it, most people have jobs that require them to remain in a seated position or standing for quite a while and that is why such people work for extended hours without taking time off. Doing this helps the blood disperse hence lowering the chances of vein troubles.

Modern Approaches to Treatment for Genetic Varicose Veins

Whether alluvial or genetic, if you already have varicose veins, there are several treatment methods at your disposal.

• Sclerotherapy: This is a modern method for the treatment of varicose veins without surgery which consists in injecting a solution into the veins to make them close.
• Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT): It is a procedure for treating varicose veins using lasers through endovenous catheters to close diseased veins.
• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This is a procedure which uses radiofrequency energy to heat up and seal these veins.
• Surgery: In extreme cases, the veins may be stripped or ligated surgically to eliminate the affected veins.

Conclusion

Although this malady is treatable, the progress and development of venous varicosities largely depend on a person’s genetics, which makes it an inherited problem for most people. In case of a family history of varicose veins, it is better to view this factor as a warning and take care of the actual risk rather than wait for the veins to fall down. Even though this does not help you change your DNA, you can predict and act upon known risk factors for varicose veins based on genetic predisposition, thus promoting better vascular health and lifestyle.