Understanding Varicose Veins and Their Impact
Varicose veins are a common health issue that affects many adults, with up to 40% of people in the UK developing them at some point in their lives. For those aged 75 and over, this figure rises to more than 60%. These veins typically appear on the legs and are caused by faulty valves within the veins that allow blood to pool. This can lead to knobbly, bulging, and twisted veins that have a dark blue or purple appearance.
Despite the prevalence of varicose veins, there is still much that remains unknown about their causes. However, it is known that they are often linked to a strong family history. “It’s a myth that being overweight, pregnancy, or standing for too long causes them,” explains Professor Mark Whiteley, a venous surgeon and founder of the Whiteley Clinic. Research suggests that individuals inherit five genes from each parent that influence how well the valves in their veins function. If someone has five or more ‘bad’ genes, they may develop varicose veins quite severely. In extreme cases, people can start showing signs as early as age 12.
Personal Story: Ola Majewska’s Journey
Ola Majewska, a 42-year-old shop manager living in a small village in Hampshire, began noticing varicose veins between her knee and foot, and on the outer side of her thigh on her left leg, when she was in her twenties. Over time, these veins became more pronounced, especially in her thirties. “I started to hide my leg and became super aware of it – I chose not to wear short skirts or dresses, and it really affected my self-confidence,” she recalls.
The condition worsened over the years, leading to discomfort and pain. “My leg would become really tight and painful by the end of the day. It felt so heavy, sore, and uncomfortable that it stopped me exercising after work,” she explains. Even simple activities like driving home after work became challenging due to the discomfort.
Ola’s mother and grandfather also suffered from varicose veins. “I always remember them having a traumatic experience with their varicose veins,” she says. “They both struggled a lot and had a lot of barbaric procedures when their veins would be stripped [surgically removed], which involved many weeks of recovery, but the varicose veins always came back.”
The Importance of Early Treatment
While there isn’t much that can be done to prevent varicose veins, regular exercise can help slow their progression. “When varicose veins get worse, they can lead to an array of complications including swollen ankles, leg ulcers, and blood clots, and they have even been linked to dementia, heart failure, and stroke,” says Professor Whiteley.
He emphasizes that only up to 20% of people have the visible lumpy veins, but up to 40% have hidden varicose veins that can cause problems before they are noticed. “The best thing you can do is to get them treated before they have a knock-on effect on the other veins in your legs,” he adds.
Modern Treatments and Recovery
In 2024, Ola decided to take action and researched treatments. She opted for a comprehensive approach at the Whiteley Clinic, starting with an ultrasound scan of her legs. This process checks all 155 veins in the legs that can cause varicose veins.
The first stage involved endovenous laser ablation, a minimally-invasive procedure that uses laser to destroy the veins, and phlebectomy, a process that removes bulging veins on the surface. Both were performed under local anaesthetic. In February, she had the final part of treatment, foam sclerotherapy, which eliminates the affected veins inside the leg and stops them growing back.
“It’s important to do this procedure under ultrasound control, so you can see you’re in the right vein and not outside it,” says Whiteley. “Afterwards you put a stocking around the leg for 21 days, which holds the vein closed and stops blood getting into it.”
A New Beginning
Ola’s recovery was quick and smooth. “Other than a few bruises and some soreness, my leg healed quickly and I hardly took any time off work,” she says. After the first treatment, she could see a huge improvement in her leg, as the bulging veins had gone. “It felt amazing to see my leg looking so good. Now I want to show my legs off and I’m exercising regularly to make them look as lovely as I can.”
Ola is now confident enough to wear shorts or shorter dresses without worrying. “The soreness and tightness has gone completely,” she says. “I’m really happy, and I only wish that my mum and grandfather could have had these options available to them as it would have made a big difference to their lives.”
