Synopsis
New Delhi, April 16 (NationPress) Experiencing chilly feet and heaviness in the legs may signal varicose veins—swollen and twisted veins in the legs or ankles, according to a study. The research connects cold hypersensitivity and the heaviness in legs as significant indicators of this condition.Key Takeaways
- Cold feet and heaviness in the legs may indicate varicose veins.
- Women are at a higher risk for varicose veins.
- Occupation requiring prolonged standing raises risk by 45%.
- Cold hypersensitivity significantly correlates with varicose veins.
- Study involved 8,782 participants aged 30-70.
New Delhi, April 16 (NationPress) Experiencing chilly feet along with a feeling of heaviness in the legs may suggest the presence of varicose veins—which are swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins located in the legs or ankles, based on recent research.
Varicose veins typically arise from dysfunction in the deep or superficial venous systems, including the perforator veins that connect these systems within the legs.
The occurrence of varicose veins can vary between 2% and 30% among adults, with women being at a greater risk. Common symptoms include sensations of heaviness, aching, throbbing, itching, restlessness in the legs, fluid retention, swelling, muscle cramps, and in severe cases, leg ulcers.
Researchers from Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan noted that cold hypersensitivity is frequently misinterpreted as a subjective symptom.
Their findings, published in the open-access journal Open Heart, revealed that individuals with moderate to severe cold hypersensitivity had a 49% to 89% increased likelihood of developing varicose veins compared to those without such hypersensitivity.
Moreover, individuals suffering from varicose veins reported heavy legs four times more frequently than those without the condition.
Interestingly, the type of occupation played a significant role in the development of varicose veins, with jobs that require prolonged standing linked to a 45% higher risk.
The correlation between cold hypersensitivity and heavy legs is noteworthy.
The research team emphasized that the connection between cold sensations and the onset of varicose veins is often neglected in clinical settings.
“Our study indicated the presence of a moderate-to-severe degree of cold hypersensitivity in the lower extremities, which has been previously underestimated as a subjective symptom associated with varicose veins,” stated Yung-Po Liaw and the research team in their publication.
“It is essential to recognize the significance of the concurrent symptoms of heaviness and cold feet. When these symptoms appear together, the probability of confirming varicose veins significantly increases compared to individuals lacking these symptoms,” the team highlighted.
The study involved 8,782 participants aged 30 to 70, all with moderate to severe varicose veins. They were surveyed regarding their cold hypersensitivity in their feet and the degree to which they felt heaviness in their legs.
In total, 676 participants reported having moderate to severe varicose veins.
The research team acknowledged that this is an observational study and therefore cannot definitively establish causal relationships.
