How Excess Body Weight Affects Your Veins
Varicose veins develop due to multiple factors, but obesity is one of the most significant and preventable causes. When the body carries excess weight, especially around the abdomen and hips, it creates continuous high pressure on the leg veins.
This pressure makes it difficult for blood to flow upward toward the heart, leading to circulation problems.
The Chain Reaction Caused by Obesity
Excess body weight sets off a series of problems inside the veins:
- Increased pressure inside leg veins
- Strain and weakening of vein walls and valves
- Improper blood circulation
- Blood pooling in the legs
Over time, this pooling causes veins to enlarge, twist, and become visible as varicose veins.
Why Varicose Veins Become Worse with Weight Gain
Obesity doesn’t just trigger varicose veins—it can also worsen existing ones.
- Symptoms like pain, heaviness, and swelling increase
- Disease progression becomes faster
- Risk of complications such as skin changes and ulcers rises
The heavier the pressure on the veins, the harder they struggle to function properly.
Weight Control: A Key Part of Prevention and Management
Maintaining a healthy weight helps:
- Reduce pressure on leg veins
- Improve blood circulation
- Ease symptoms of varicose veins
- Slow or prevent disease progression
Even modest weight loss can bring meaningful improvement in leg comfort.