How do they occur?

Varicose veins are a common health condition caused by weak or damaged vein walls and valves, called venous insufficiency. When your arteries pump blood from your heart to the rest of your tissues, your veins bring it back so that it can be recirculated. But unlike arteries, veins can come under strain because they’re constantly working against gravity—and they can become more aggravated with high blood pressure. This is why pregnancy, obesity and old age are all risk factors for varicose veins. Some people find they are more likely to get varicose veins than others due to genetics.