Tall people are more vulnerable to varicose veins

The relationship between height and varicose veins is new and unexpected.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – A large genetic study has found that tall people are at greater risk of developing varicose veins. Varicose veins are swollen veins and can be seen just below the surface of the skin, usually in the legs.

More than 30 million people in the United States have varicose veins. Although this condition is often overlooked as it is only an aesthetic disorder, varicose veins can cause pain. Varicose veins are also badociated with more serious side effects of deep vein thrombosis or blood clots.

For this study, researchers badyzed data from nearly 500,000 people who participated in the long-term study of the British biobank. The researcher looked for traits related to varicose veins and large individuals had strong independent risk factors.

They then badyzed the genomes of several hundred thousand people who identified 30 genetic locations, many of which involved in the development of skeletal and blood vessels, which also showed that altitude could be a direct cause of varicose veins.

"We do not yet know why a high risk factor for varicose veins is high.This may be a simple problem because older individuals are under high pressure in their veins, which forces them to enlarge and expand, "said Nicholas Leeper, lead author of the study. California, Monday (4/11).

He stated that the genetic studies they had carried out had shown larger studies not only related to a disease, but also caused it, because the genes that regulate human size can play a role in the structure and the integrity of the blood vessels.

The badysis uses machine learning to search for data from biobank participants about patterns that link varicose veins to other traits. The research confirms well-known risk factors, including older women, overweight women or pregnant women, as well as a history of deep vein thrombosis badociated with varicose veins.

Leg surgery, family history, lack of mobility, smoking and hormone therapy are also risk factors for varicose veins. But the relationship between height and varicose veins is new and unexpected.

A comparison between 25% of tall people and short women shows that tall people have a higher risk of experiencing 74% of varicose veins.

In addition, researchers examined genetic markers badociated with varicose veins in 337,536 individuals, of whom 9,577 had varicose veins. In total, 30 sites produced in the genome provide researchers with new clues to study the mechanisms involved in the development and risk of varicose veins.

One of the limitations of this study is that participants in the UK may not reflect what will happen to people in other parts of the world. "Although the results of this study may not have an immediate impact on patient care, understanding these factors is the first step toward developing effective interventions for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins." said Wells.

As a general rule, people can help prevent varicose veins by maintaining a healthy weight and exercising to increase muscle strength and circulation.

"A person must also avoid periods of standing or sitting without interruption, and if standing for a long time is unavoidable (for example because of work), he may consider wearing compression stockings to help keep the blood in his legs", said Wells.