Superficial veins are susceptible to increased pressure when the valves in these veins become incompetent. This venous hypertension creates changes in the diameter and the length of the veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Varicose veins are most often the result of an individual's genetic predisposition. Injuries, infection and thombophlebitis (blood clots) can cause varices. They tend to occur in the legs because the pressure in these dysfunctional veins increases, resulting in "swollen or dilated" veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

The answer is all about the valves. Many veins have microscopic valves which direct the blood back to the heart. In the legs, as opposed to the arms, because of the frequent standing position, pressure from pregnancies and strong genetic predisposition, these valves weaken and blood backs up to form varicosities. This can also occur in the pelvic veins. In the arms, head, and upper areas there is no gravity component or pressure component (unless form extrinsic compression, such as a tumor).

Published on Jul 11, 2012

The simple answer is gravity. The head and upper extremities drain down into the heart but the lower extremities have a long way to get the blood back up to the heart. There are a lot of factors that help return back to the heart with valves being one of the biggest and when they fail that is the most common cause of varicose vein. Varicose veins also occur in the abdomen and the rectum (hemorrhoids) so it is not limited to the legs.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Varicose veins are commonly found in the legs because the legs are dependent to the heart when standing. With "leaky" venous valves the blood works its way back towards the ankles ( most dependent). This builds pressure in these veins and become varicose.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Varicose veins occur most commonly in the lower extremities due to gravity and pressure. These veins are under the most pressure. Heredity plays a large role although there are other possible risks.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

The veins in the leg tend to be the most common and visible because of the location and nature of the valves in the leg veins. Varicose veins do occur in other parts of the body however they have different names. In the anal area they're called hemmorhoids, in the scrotum they're called a varicocoele, near the stomach or the esophagus they're called Varices.

Published on Jul 11, 2012