Varicose veins show up as swollen twisted veins that look blue or purple in people’s legs. Things like getting older, being overweight and standing/sitting for long periods can make them worse, but your genetics might also be to blame. If you’ve wondered whether you got your varicose veins from your parents (inherited), this guide will help you grasp the genetic link and figure out if your family history has an impact on your veins.

Understanding Varicose Veins: A Quick Overview

Let’s talk about varicose veins for a moment before we get into genetics. These veins pop up when the valves inside them don’t work well (weak) or failed. This leads to blood pooling and the veins swelling up. You might notice these symptoms:

• Bulging, rope-like veins
• Aching or heaviness in the legs
• Swelling, especially after standing for long periods
• Itching or burning around the veins
• Nighttime leg cramps

Things like being overweight, pregnancy and not moving around much can lead to varicose veins. But your family history (genetics) might also play a role in whether you’re more likely to get them.

Are varicose veins genetic?

Yes, varicose veins can be genetic. If your parents or close relatives have varicose veins, you’re also more likely to have varicose veins. Research shows that if one of parents has varicose veins, your risk increases by about 40-50%, and if both parents have varicose veins, your risks go up to around 90%. This happens because genetics can affect the strength of your veins walls and valves – stopping blood from pooling and those folded, important factors in generating emerging veins.

While lifestyle options such as standing for a long time, lack of exercise or obesity also play a role, family history is often a strong prediction. Some people get varicose veins at a young age due to weak veins. So, if your family has varicose veins, staying active, wear compression stockings and maintaining healthy weight can help reduce your risk or delay their start. If they appear, treatments like sclerotherapy or laser therapy can help them manage effectively.

The Genetic Link: Are Varicose Veins Hereditary?

Research shows that if one or both of your parents have varicose veins, you also increase the risk of having varicose veins. Studies show that:

• If one of the parents has varicose veins, you’re also a 40-50% chance of having varicose veins
• If both parents have this disease, your risk increases by 90%

This strong genetic pattern indicates that genetics affects the strength of the vein wall, function of the valve and the overall vein structure.

How Do Genes Influence Varicose Veins?

Many genetic factors contribute to varicose veins:

• Weak Vein Walls & Valves – Some people inherit weak vein walls or faulty valves, making them more likely to blood pooling.
• Connective Tissue Disorders – Conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or Marphon syndrome affect collagen production, thereby weakening the veins.
• Family History of Blood Clots – Genetic clots disorders (such as like Factor V Leiden) can increase pressure and damage in the veins.
• Gender & Hormonal Factors – Women are more likely to develop varicose veins due to hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause), and this tendency can run in families.

Varicose veins are more likely to develop due to hormonal changes in women (pregnancy, menopause), and this tendency can run in families.

How to tell if your varicose veins are genetic 

Since both genetics and lifestyles play a role in this, how can you find out if your varicose veins are hereditary or not? Here are the main indicators:

Check Your Family History 

• Ask parents, grandparents and siblings whether they have (or had) varicose veins.
• See patterns – Did these patterns develop at a young age in many relatives?
• Note if family members needed treatment like sclerotherapy or vein stripping.

Early Onset (Before Age 40)

• If you have had varicose veins at the age of 20 or 30, it probably will have a role of geneticity.
• Lifestyle-related varicose veins usually appear later (after 50 years).

Multiple Family Members with Vein Issues

• If many relatives have varicose veins, spider veins or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), possibly this could cause genetics.

Presence of Other Genetic Vein Disorders 

• Conditions like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, or hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) indicate genetic trend.

Resistance to Lifestyle Changes 

• If you maintain a healthy weight, exercise and avoid sitting/standing for a long time, but still you get varicose veins, the main reason for this could be genetics.

What to Do If Varicose Veins Run in Your Family (Are varicose veins inherited)

If you suspect your varicose veins are genetic, don’t panic—there are ways to manage and prevent them from worsening.

Stay Active & Improve Circulation

• Walking, swimming and cycling strengthen the calf muscles, which helps push the blood upward.
• Avoid prolong sitting/standing.

Wear Compression Stockings 

• Graduated compression socks improve blood flow and reduce inflammation.

Elevate Your Legs 

• Lifting your legs above the heart level for 15-30 minutes per day helps reduce the pressure in the veins.

Maintain a Healthy Weight 

• Overweight increases the pressure on the veins, thereby worsening the symptoms.

Consider Medical Treatments

If varicose veins cause pain or complications, consult a vein specialist. Treatment options include:

• Sclerotherapy (injections to close small veins)
• Laser Therapy (for spider veins)
• Endovenous Ablation (heat treatment for larger veins)
• Vein Stripping (surgical removal for severe cases)

Can Genetic Testing Help? 

Currently, no single genetic test confirms varicose vein risk. However, if your family has a history of veins disorders, vascular experts may recommend the following:

• Ultrasound scans to check vein function
• Blood tests for clotting disorders
• Genetic screening if a connective tissue disorder is suspected

Final Thoughts (Are varicose veins inherited?)

Although you can’t change your genes, you can take steps to reduce varicose vein progression. If your family has a history of veins problems, early prevention is key. Stay active, wear compression stockings and consult a vein expert if symptoms deteriorate. By understanding your genetic risk, you can control your veins health and reduce discomfort before coming to serious complications.