Our Approach to Treating Varicose Veins
Vascular surgeons at Houston Methodist offer the full range of varicose vein treatments — from traditional surgical techniques to newer, less invasive procedures, including the most advanced therapies.
Whether you’re seeking varicose vein treatment for cosmetic reasons or because you’re experiencing symptoms, our experts will help you understand your options and advise you on which is most effective for your specific condition.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
The valves in your leg veins work hard to pump blood from your legs back to your heart.
If one of these valves leaks or fails, blood can pool in the vein instead of returning to the heart. This pooling of blood causes the vein to bulge and become enlarged, creating spider veins or larger varicose veins.
Factors that can increase your risk of developing varicose veins include:
- Standing for long periods of time
- Extra weight, as this puts more pressure on the valves in your leg veins
- Aging, as this causes wear and tear on the valves in your leg veins
- Hormonal changes and number of pregnancies, which is why women may be more likely to develop varicose veins and spider veins than men
- Family history of varicose veins