Varicose veins: Clues to a deeper problem?
People with varicose veins—gnarled, bluish veins near the surface of the skin—may have an elevated risk of developing a clot in the deeper veins of the legs, known as deep-vein thrombosis or DVT. About one-quarter of adults have varicose veins, and about half of these people have a family history of the problem. Varicose veins are also more common after age 65 and in women, people who are overweight or obese, and those who stand or sit for long periods of time. Most people with varicose veins won’t experience a DVT, but people should know the warning signs, which include swelling, discomfort, redness, and warmth in the calf, thigh, or arm.
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