Nader Samir MD, American University of Beirut (Contributor for Vein News and www.VeinsVeinsVeins.com)
Is Obesity a risk factor for developing varicose veins ?
There is evidence to suggest that obesity is a risk factor for the development of varicose veins in women.
An article from Raffetto J and Khalil RA from Harvard Medical School states that women that are moderately overweight (BMI 25-29.9) are more likley to develop varicose veins than women that have BMI < 25.
Furthermore, women that are obese (BMI > 30) are 3 times more likely to have varicose veins than women with normal BMI.
Is there a relationship between BMI and varicose veins in men ?
Raffetto and Khalil state that a positive correlation between BMI and varicose veins is NOT found in male patients.
Is there a relationship between plasma levels of total estrogen and bioavailable estrogen in obese and overweight woemn compared to lean women (BMI < 25) ?
The evidence shows that there is a positive relationship between plasma levels of total estrogen and bioavailable estrogen in obese and overweight woemn compared to lean women (BMI < 25), meaning that overweight and obese postmenopausal women have higher levels of estrogen, suggesting that it is the estrogen level that may predispose them to the development of varicose veins.
Reference: Raffetto J and Khalil RA. Mechanisms of lower extremity vein dysfunction in chronic venous disease and implications in management of varicose veins. Vessel Plus 2021: 5: 36.