The key facts

  • Varicose disease develops due to impaired venous valve function and is not gender-specific
  • Risk factors include heredity, excess weight, a sedentary lifestyle, and prolonged standing
  • Without treatment, vein inflammation, thrombosis, and trophic ulcers are possible

Men are less likely to pay attention to symptoms

Varicose disease is often considered a predominantly female problem, but men are also susceptible to it. This was stated to Gazeta.Ru by surgeon Alexey Bezrukavy. According to him, men often ignore protruding veins and spider veins if there is no pronounced pain, even though the disease can progress and lead to swelling, vein inflammation, and skin changes. Early diagnosis, the specialist noted, makes it possible to determine the treatment strategy in a timely manner and reduce the risk of complications.

How the disease develops and what should raise concern

The surgeon explained the mechanism of the disease as a malfunction of the venous valves: blood begins to flow in the opposite direction, pressure inside the vessels rises, and the vein walls gradually stretch and become deformed. Among the main risk factors, he named hereditary predisposition, excess weight, a sedentary lifestyle, and prolonged standing; regular intense exertion involving heavy lifting can also contribute to the development of the disease. According to the doctor, warning signs should include heaviness and a feeling of fullness in the legs by evening, swelling of the feet and ankles, nighttime cramps, the appearance of protruding veins, as well as changes in the color and texture of the skin on the lower legs.

Complications and prevention

Without timely monitoring, Bezrukavy warned, varicose disease can be complicated by inflammation of the superficial veins, thrombosis, persistent skin changes, and trophic ulcers. In his opinion, the very first signs of impaired venous outflow should already be a reason to consult a doctor — there is no need to wait for severe pain. To maintain vein health, the specialist recommends walking regularly, swimming or cycling, controlling body weight, and taking movement breaks during prolonged sedentary or standing work. Compression garments, he clarified, may be used as part of treatment, but the compression class and wearing regimen should be selected together with a doctor. “Varicose disease has no gender,” the expert concluded. The article ends with a reference to an earlier Gazeta.Ru publication in which doctors warned about the risk of thrombosis from sedentary work.