Print Overview Varicose veins Enlarge image Close Varicose veins Varicose veins Veins return blood from the rest of the body to the heart. To return blood to the heart, the veins in the legs must work against gravity. Weakened valves, also called incompetent valves, within the veins might cause varicose veins. The weakened valves let blood pool in the veins instead of traveling to the heart. When blood pools in the veins, the veins become larger, making them show under the skin. Varicose veins are bulging, enlarged veins. Any vein that is close to the skin's surface, called superficial, can become varicosed. Varicose veins most often affect the veins in the legs. That's because standing and walking increase the pressure in the veins of the lower body. For many people, varicose veins are simply a cosmetic concern. So are spider veins, a common, mild form of varicose veins. But varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort. Sometimes they lead to more-serious health problems. Treatment involves exercising, raising legs when sitting or lying down, or wearing compression stockings. A procedure may be done to close or remove veins.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Book of Home RemediesAssortment of Health Products from Mayo Clinic StoreShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsWhen to see a doctorIf you worry about how your veins look and feel and self-care measures haven't helped, see your healthcare professional. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesWeak or damaged valves can lead to varicose veins. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Veins return blood from the rest of the body to the heart. To return blood to the heart, the veins in the legs must work against gravity. Muscles tighten in the lower legs to act as pumps. Vein walls help blood return to the heart. Tiny valves in the veins open as blood flows toward the heart, then close to stop blood from flowing backward. If these valves are weak or damaged, blood can flow backward and pool in the veins, causing the veins to stretch or twist. ComplicationsComplications of varicose veins are rare. They can include: Ulcers. Painful ulcers can form on the skin near varicose veins, mostly near the ankles. A discolored spot on the skin often begins before an ulcer forms. See your healthcare professional right away if you think you have a leg ulcer. Blood clots. Sometimes, veins deep within the legs get larger. They might cause leg pain and swelling. Seek medical help for ongoing leg pain or swelling. This can mean a blood clot. Bleeding. Rarely, veins close to the skin burst. This mostly causes only minor bleeding. But it needs medical help. Leg swelling. Longtime varicose veins can cause the legs to swell. PreventionGetting better blood flow and muscle tone might lower the risk of having varicose veins. The same ways you treat the discomfort from varicose veins can help prevent them. Try the following: Don't wear high heels or tight stockings, other than compression stockings. Change how you sit or stand often. Eat a high-fiber, low-salt diet. Exercise. Raise your legs when sitting or lying down. Keep a healthy weight. By Mayo Clinic Staff Varicose veins care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Feb. 06, 2024 Print Show references Papadakis MA, et al., eds. Varicose veins. In: Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2023. 62nd ed. McGraw Hill; 2023. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed July 11, 2023. Varicose veins. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/varicose-veins. Accessed July 11, 2023. AskMayoExpert. Varicose veins (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2023. Varicose veins and spider veins. Office on Women's Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/varicose-veins-and-spider-veins. Accessed Dec. 13, 2023. Kabnick LS, et al. Overview of lower extremity chronic venous disease. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 11, 2023. Kang S, et al., eds. Treatment for varicose and telangiectatic lower extremity vessels. In: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology. 9th ed. McGraw Hill; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Dec. 13, 2023. Fukaya E, et al. Evaluation and l management of chronic venous insufficiency including venous ulcer. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 11, 2023. Ami TR. AllScripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Accessed Sept. 4, 2023. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry