If you do not have either varicose veins or spider veins, you are in the minority as nearly 70% of American women and more than 40% of American men will encounter varicose and spider vein issues before they reach retirement age. As these percentages continue to grow more individuals will likely encounter a venous condition – either spider veins or varicose veins – at some point in your lifetime.
While no one knows the exact cause of spider veins and varicose veins. Several risk factors can cause a person to be more likely to spider veins and varicose vein issues. The following risk factors increase your chances of developing the condition but do not always guarantee you will develop spider veins or varicose veins. Conversely, the absence of all of the following risk factors does not ensure you will never develop the condition either.
Risk factors for Developing Varicose and Spider Vein Issues:
The following factors may put one at an increased risk of developing varicose or spider veins:

Heredity – If someone in your family has had varicose veins, there is an increased possibility that you will develop them as well. Statistics show that approximately 50% of the people who have varicose veins have a family history of them.

Gender – Women tend to get varicose veins and spider veins about twice as often as men. Hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or with the use of birth control pills may raise a woman’s chances of developing vein conditions. Female hormones tend to relax the vein walls, causing the valves to separate and become ineffective in stopping the backflow of blood in the veins. Hormone replacement therapy may also lead to an increased risk.

Age – The possibility of developing spider veins or vericose veins increases as you age, with most cases being reported in patients between the ages of 40 and 70. Aging causes wear and tear on the veins, increasing the possibility that veins and/or valves will have a failure.

Obesity – Excessive weight puts added pressure on your entire circulatory system, including your veins and will cause your heart to work harder to push the blood through the aggravated veins.

Pregnancy – During pregnancy, a growing fetus puts extra demands on the circulatory system and extra pressure on your veins as well. Varicose veins may appear for the first time or existing ones may worsen. (See PREGNANCY) Often, varicose veins that appear for the first time may actually get better within 3 to 12 months after the delivery.

Lifestyle – Standing or sitting for an extended period of time, especially with your legs bent or crossed, may raise your risk for varicose or spider veins. Staying in one position for a long time may weaken the walls of your veins and aggravate existing inflamed veins. People that lead a more sedentary lifestyle or have an occupation that involves a lot of sitting or standing may be more at an increased risk to vein disorders.

Injury – An injury, especially to the leg, could damage veins or valves and increase the risk of varicose veins or spider veins.

Risk Factors at www.1800varicose.com

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