Cold Feet and Heavy Legs Could Be Sign of Varicose Veins, Says Study
New Delhi: Experiencing cold feet and heavy legs could be an early warning sign of varicose veins, a condition marked by swollen, twisted veins in the legs or ankles, according to a new study.
Varicose veins are usually caused by impaired functioning of the deep or superficial veins, and the perforator veins (short veins that link the superficial and deep venous systems in the legs).
The prevalence of varicose veins ranges from 2 to 30 per cent in adults, with women at higher risk. Typical symptoms include sensations of heaviness, aching, throbbing and itching, restlessness in the legs, fluid retention and swelling, muscle cramps, and leg ulcers in severe cases.
Cold hypersensitivity is often underestimated as a subjective symptom, said researchers from Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan.
Their study, published in the open-access journal Open Heart, showed that moderate to severe cold hypersensitivity was associated with a 49 to 89 per cent heightened likelihood of varicose veins compared with no hypersensitivity.
Similarly, four times as many people with varicose veins had heavy legs as those without the condition.
Notably, job type was an influential factor in developing the condition. Jobs involving prolonged standing were associated with a 45 per cent higher likelihood of varicose veins.
The association between cold hypersensitivity and heavy legs was significant.
The team noted the link between sensation of coldness to developing varicose veins is often overlooked in clinical practice.
“However, our study showed the presence of a moderate-to-severe degree of hypersensitivity to cold in the lower extremities, which has hitherto been underestimated as a subjective symptom associated with varicose veins,” said Yung-Po Liaw and the team from the varsity, in the paper.
“Of note is the significance of the concurrent symptoms of heaviness and cold feet. When these symptoms coexist, the likelihood of confirming the presence of varicose veins is notably amplified compared with individuals without such symptoms,” the team added.
The study included 8,782 participants aged between 30 and 70 with moderate and severe varicose veins. They were quizzed about their hypersensitivity to cold in their feet and the extent to which they felt heaviness in their legs.
In all, 676 participants said they had moderate to severe varicose veins.
The team noted that this is an observational study, and as such can’t establish causal factors.
Rishika Verma is a graduate from Delhi University. She joined Medical Dialogues in 2023. Her interest lies in reporting health news, hospital updates, health updates, medical case studies, and advancements in healthcare, etc.