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Are varicose veins age-related?
Can varicose veins be blamed on age? Age is a real risk factor, but gender, genetics, weight and standing jobs all play a part. Here is the full picture.
- Varicose veins can appear at any age, even in teenagers.
- Their prevalence rises with age as the disease progresses.
- They are far more common in women (about 29%) than in men (10%).
- Age is only one factor, alongside genetics, weight and standing jobs.
- Treating veins early can spare the healthy parts of the vein.
Varicose veins are veins that struggle to carry blood back up to the heart against gravity. They may be twisted, swollen and enlarged, and can cause pain or discomfort, or none at all. So are they simply a matter of age?
Venous insufficiency, a progressive disease
Young or old, varicose veins can develop at any age: vein reflux has even been found in about 10% of children aged 11 to 18. Still, women of childbearing age and older people are at greater risk, and the prevalence of varicose veins clearly rises with age. Because venous insufficiency is a progressive disease, more symptoms tend to appear over time, and treating certain veins early may spare them from further damage.
Are varicose veins more common in women?
Research consistently finds varicose veins more often in women than in men. In one study the prevalence was 29% in women versus 10% in men, rising with age in both groups. Risk factors also differ: obesity and higher blood pressure weigh more heavily in women, while smoking is a stronger factor in men. The factors common to both are standing at work and low physical activity.
| Prevalence of varicose veins | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Overall prevalence | ~29% | ~10% |
| Visible varicose veins | 20 to 25% | 10 to 15% |
Because the disease progresses over time, acting early matters. Whatever your age, a varicose vein can be treated without surgery: focused ultrasound (echotherapy) closes it with no incision.
Are women affected at a younger age?
Visible varicose veins affect around 20 to 25% of women, against 10 to 15% of men. As women are especially at risk during their childbearing years, it is no surprise they are affected more often, and often earlier. It suggests that the number of risk factors matters more than age alone.
Curious how much your DNA counts? See our article on genetics and varicose veins.
The other causes of venous insufficiency
Age is only one risk factor. Others include gender, since women are more affected, along with genetics, obesity, height and low physical activity. Standing jobs raise the risk too, and pregnancy is a common trigger, so women with several pregnancies carry a higher risk.
Wondering whether echotherapy is available near you? A growing network of centres is already equipped with the SONOVEIN.
Questions fréquentes
Are varicose veins age-related?
Age is a real risk factor, and their prevalence rises with age as the disease progresses. But varicose veins can appear at any age, even in teenagers.
At what age do varicose veins appear?
They can develop at any age; vein reflux has even been found in 10% of children aged 11 to 18. Women of childbearing age and older people are at greater risk.
Are varicose veins more common in women or men?
In women. Studies put the prevalence at about 29% in women versus 10% in men, rising with age in both groups.
Do risk factors differ between men and women?
Yes. Obesity and higher blood pressure weigh more in women, smoking more in men. Standing at work and low activity affect both.
Besides age, what causes varicose veins?
Gender, genetics, obesity, height, low physical activity, standing jobs and pregnancy all add to the risk.