7 Myths About Varicose Veins Debunked

Are varicose veins that bane of your existence? Those enlarged and twisted veins are not only unpleasant to look at, they can also cause discomfort. Although varicose veins can occur in different parts of the body, they are usually known for appearing on the legs, and this can be a big problem especially for the ladies.

Search the web and you’ll find a wealth of information on varicose veins. Not all of them are reliable, of course, so we thought we’d debunk some of the common myths about the topic. Be sure to keep these in mind!

1. Wearing high heels can cause varicose veins.

Frequently wearing sky-high heels can take its toll on your precious feet, yes, but they don’t cause varicose veins. According to Dr. Mark Adelman, professor and chief of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at NYU Langone:

“People sometimes think that wearing heels puts strain on the calves, damaging circulation and causing veins to ‘pop out.’ While wearing very high heels for extended periods of time can impact blood flow, it’s actually not a primary cause of varicose veins. In fact, the exercise your calf muscles get when wearing heels improves blood flow.”

2. Crossing your legs can cause varicose veins.

Simply crossing your legs cannot cause varicose veins. Our veins are protected by a sheath of rigid muscle, and this muscle keeps the veins from being compressed or kinked by usual leg movement. Of course, as a general rule, you should observe standing up, walking, and just moving around throughout the day to keep blood flowing.

3. Pregnancy causes varicose veins.

Dr. Adelman also states that there’s no single cause for varicose veins. Pregnancy can be one of the factors that contribute to someone developing varicose veins because of the heavy burden it places on the person’s circulatory system. But other factors also come into play, like obesity, genetics, and work that requires being on your feet a lot.

4. Treatment for varicose veins is painful and leaves scars.

This may have been true fifteen years ago, but not anymore today. Modern and minimally invasive treatment procedures are now available. Local anesthesia and 2-millimeter incisions eliminate pain and scarring.

5. Varicose veins should not be treated until they become painful.

Varicose veins are not only physically unappealing, they can also cause discomfort like throbbing, soreness, heaviness and stiffness in the legs. Those with varicose veins need not wait for these symptoms to show up before they get treatment since there are procedures that don’t require hospital admission and lengthy recovery periods.

6. Treatment by closing off veins will cause problems later on.

The truth is that the deep veins are the most important ones in the human body. Superficial veins, especially damaged ones, are better off removed to make way for more efficient blood flow.

7. My insurance won’t pay for varicose veins treatment.

Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic issue. Like earlier said, they can cause a great deal of discomfort, and this makes the situation a real medical concern. Of course, insurance coverage is on a case-by-case basis, but it wouldn’t hurt to check with your doctor and insurance company.

Are you dealing with pesky varicose veins? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below!