Varicose veins are a very common condition and affect around 3 in 10 adults in the UK and are caused when the small valves inside the veins stop working properly. These valves usually stop the blood flowing backwards but if they become weakened or damaged then blood can collect in the vein causing it to become swollen.

Varicose veins never go away unless they are treated. Unless they are treated they only get worse with time

Apart from being unsightly,  varicose veins are  unhealthy veins and may lead to variety of symptoms such as leg ulcers, skin pigmentation, eczema, aching legs, blood clots or even bleeding.  Many patients wish their veins to be treated as they fear them becoming worse as they get older, something that very often happens as the varicose veins deteriorates with time.

Although varicose veins are most common in the legs and feet there are a number of different conditions that affect different parts of the body.  Abnormal veins can appear in the hands or feet, chest or abdominal wall.  The British Varicose Vein Centre have leading medical experts that can advise and or treat many of these conditions to help with a variety of vein issues as often the varicose vein treatment is bespoke to the individual patient.

Valve failure leads to varicose veins