Varicose veins: higher risk of thrombosis

Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.

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Varicose veins are more than just a cosmetic problem: at an advanced stage, they can cause fluid retention in tissues and skin ulcers. In addition, they are also a warning signal: People with varicose veins are more likely to develop thrombosis.

Varicose veins, medically called varices, are a common phenomenon: Nine out of ten adults have at least what are known as spider veins. Every sixth man and every fifth woman in this country suffer from advanced chronic venous insufficiency.

Blood clot in the veins

The lumpy, bluish meanderings under the skin are associated with a higher risk of thrombosis. A blood clot usually blocks a deep leg vein. It becomes dangerous when the clot dissolves and migrates into the lungs: if it clogs a vessel there (pulmonary embolism), this can be fatal.

Five-fold risk of thrombosis

Scientists working with Shyue-Luen Chang from the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taoyuan, Taiwan, have evaluated the health data of more than 400,000 people. These included more than 200,000 people with newly diagnosed varices. Over the course of an average of seven years, 6.5 out of a thousand people with varicose veins developed a thrombosis, but only 1.23 out of a thousand participants without varicose veins. That means: People with varicose veins have a five-fold increased risk of thrombosis.

Risk of pulmonary embolism

In the first year after diagnosis of the varicose veins, the number of thromboses in the patients was four times higher (compared to people without varices). The risk of pulmonary embolism also increased from 0.28 to 0.48 per thousand participants, as did the risk of arterial occlusive disease (PAD): Almost 11 out of 1000 participants with varicose veins suffered from it. For the participants without varices, it was only about 6 out of 1000. PAD is a circulatory disorder in which pain in the legs forces those affected to stop again and again while walking.

Obesity and lack of exercise

It is unclear whether the varicose veins are the cause of the blood clots or whether both diseases are based on a common factor.

The tendency to varicose veins and thrombosis is inherited. Thromboses as well as varicose veins are favored by obesity, lack of exercise and smoking. Women are more often affected by varicose veins than men - the reason for this is their less firm connective tissue. Thromboses, on the other hand, develop equally often in men and women.

It can also affect young people

While the risk of thrombosis increases with age, young people can also develop a blood clot in their legs. Women who take third or fourth generation contraceptive pills are particularly at risk.

Signs of thrombosis

If the leg or ankle suddenly swells, becomes painful, hot or has a bluish discoloration, this can indicate a thrombosis. In this case you should immediately consult a doctor.

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