Health-Varicose veins should be treated as a warning sign of deadly blood clots, study finds

People with varicose veins are at significant risk of developing a potentially fatal blood clot, research suggests.

A study of 425,000 people suggests the condition should be considered a major red flag that someone is at risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism.

Researchers found people with varicose veins were at a five times increased risk of developing DVT - a clot in the legs which can lead to amputation or even death.

And they were twice as likely to develop a pulmonary embolism - a clot which travels into the lungs and can be deadly.They also had double the risk of peripheral arterial disease, which reduces blood flow to the arms and legs.

 What are varicose veins? 

Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins that usually occur on the legs and feet.

They occur when the valves in the veins break down, allowing blood to flow backwards and collect at certain points.

The problem is usually minor, affecting a quarter of people in the UK at some point in their life.

But the new study, by researchers in Taiwan, suggests it should be considered a warning sign that someone is at risk of more serious issues.

Each year about 25,000 people in the UK die from a blood clot in a vein, and the condition is also the third leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Inflammation thought to be responsible  

The China Medical University team are unsure whether the varicose veins actually cause blood clots, or whether they are are a symptom of deeper problems which are a common cause of both varicose veins and the more serious clotting problems.

But they believe inflammation in the veins are probably involved, whichever the cause.

Writing in the JAMA medical journal, they said: ‘Patients with varicose veins have increased levels of inflammatory and pro-thrombotic markers.’

‘Varicose veins are rarely associated with serious health risks.

‘In contrast DVT, pulmonary embolism and peripheral arterial disease are vascular diseases that are associated with serious systemic effects.’

They added: ‘Whether the association between varicose veins and DVT is causal or represents a common set of risk factors requires further research.’-(DAILY MAIL HEALTH)