How Weight Can Raise Your Risks for Varicose and Spider Veins

One of the biggest health concerns, both here in the United States and around the world, is carrying unhealthy excess weight. Many risk factor lists for conditions ranging from arthritis to heart disease include obesity or being overweight as primary considerations. 

Included in this mix are varicose and spider veins, vascular conditions that can be impacted by the weight you're carrying. When you note that roughly 40% of US adults live with obesity, it’s little wonder that millions of Americans also live with varicose and/or spider veins.

Let’s turn to the experienced team of vascular specialists at The Upper East Side Vein Institute to connect the dots between varicose and spider veins and weight. Led by board-certified cardiologist Dr. Satjit Bhusri, our team provides information that explains why carrying even just a little extra weight can increase your risk of developing varicose and spider veins.

How varicose and spider veins form

Many roads can lead to lower-leg vascular disease, an inclusive term for issues such as varicose and spider veins.

One of the most common is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which 10% to 35% of US adults are managing. 

Gravity and distance make the upward journey of blood from your legs back to your heart challenging. To give blood flow a fighting chance, leg veins contain tiny, one-directional valves that snap shut behind the blood, preventing it from slipping backward. 

When these valves lose strength, however, they fail to seal completely. In such cases, blood can stall during its journey upward, creating enough pressure in your vein to cause it to bulge and push up to the surface of your skin.

Additional intra-abdominal pressure, which can occur with obesity and pregnancy, is among the conditions that can cause these valves to weaken and eventually fail. Extra pounds from excess weight or pregnancy can introduce additional abdominal pressure. 

That strain compels the veins in your lower limbs to work harder, compounding stress on individual valves. When subjected to this sustained burden, the valves may ultimately give out, which raises your chances of developing varicose or spider veins. 

Weight — a risk factor you can control

There is good news, though. Unlike gender or age, weight is one of the risk factors you can control. Today, it’s never been easier, thanks to the recent introduction of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. 

You may not know how many adults are actually taking this innovative approach to weight loss. We’ve learned that approximately 11% of US adults are already winning back control over their weight with these medications.

Our team understands the negative impact excess weight can have on your cardiovascular health, and we’re happy to make these medications available to our patients. 

Are you ready to take your health in a much better direction through weight loss? Prepare to be excited about the bonus of lowering your risk for minor issues such as varicose and spider veins, too. In either case, we have you covered.

Even though GLP-1 medications give you a wonderful kickstart on your weight-loss journey, you should cultivate healthy habits. With good diet and exercise habits, you’ll be better able to keep the weight off and improve your health for the long haul.

Contact us at our New York City office on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 212-752-3464. You can also schedule an appointment online by clicking here.