Varicose veins are blue or purple squiggles that appear in veins that have become stretched and swollen, or bulging and twisted with blood. It is normal to worry at the sight of varicose veins as we inmediately think there is a circulation problem that might be connected to a heart-disease problem.

But the truth is there is nothing to worry about as varicose veins are a very common condition that affect three out of 10 adults according to the NHS. But why do people get varicose veins? the answer is not difficult. Basically, it has to do with blood and the way it circulates in your body. Arteries carry the blood from the heart to the rest of the body whilst veins return the blood from the body to the heart.

Veins have little valves that allow blood to circulate in the same direction, preventing it from flowing backwards. With time, these valves might become weakened and stop working. Then, some blood might be retained in the vein instead of flowing onwards, causing the veins to deform. Doctors say varicose veins are a result of our human bipedal condition, which puts pressure on our legs, weakening the valves.