In many cases, spider and varicose veins are an aesthetic issue, and patients seek treatment to achieve smooth and healthy legs.

However, some studies suggest that varicose veins have the potential to cause cardiovascular problems, including blood clots and DVT.

New evidence now points to an unlikely genetic factor that can increase a person’s risk for varicose veins. Keep reading to learn how your height may predict your risk of varicose veins.

What Are the Known Risk Factors for Varicose Veins?

In addition to genetics, age, sex, pregnancy, obesity, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle are all factors that increase an individual’s risk for varicose vein disease.

The Largest Genetic Study for Varicose Vein Disease

To study the relation between genes and vein disease, two researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine analyzed the genetic data of 493,519 individuals in the UK Biobank database. It was the largest genetic study for varicose vein disease to date.

Using machine-learning analysis and statistical methods, they found connections between the development of varicose veins and many of the well-known risk factors mentioned above.

However, they also determined that a previous deep vein thrombosis (DVT) put individuals at greater risk for varicose veins. Similarly, their data demonstrated that varicose veins make people more susceptible to developing deep vein blood clots in the future.

How Does Height Affect the Development of Varicose Veins?

One of the most interesting discoveries from this study had to do with ‘greater height’ as a risk factor for varicose vein disease. 

What’s more, the researchers contend that there is an actual causal relationship between height and the development of varicose veins. They hope that further examination of the genes in question can help develop new treatment options.

Additionally, the study uncovered 30 genes that were linked to varicose veins and DVT. 

To learn more about the risk factors for vein disease, please call our office today for a comprehensive consultation with one of our vein specialists at The Vein Center of Maryland.

We are conveniently located in Westminster, Eldersburg, Baltimore, Hunt Valley and Bel Air.