Health condition
Varicose veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted leg veins caused by failed one-way valves. They are common, sometimes symptomatic, and modern treatment is walk-in, walk-out.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Typical symptoms: visible bulging veins, aching, heaviness, itching and ankle swelling, worse after standing and towards evening
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Seek prompt help for bleeding from a varicose vein, painful hardness and redness (phlebitis), or skin changes and ulcers near the ankle
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Specialist: a consultant vascular surgeon usually leads assessment and treatment
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Modern options are endothermal ablation (laser or radiofrequency), foam sclerotherapy and phlebectomy - performed under local anaesthetic with rapid recovery
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
Leg veins rely on one-way valves to push blood upward against gravity. When valves fail, blood pools and pressure stretches the vein into the rope-like bulges of varicose veins. Heredity is the strongest risk factor, with pregnancy, standing occupations and age contributing. Beyond appearance, sustained venous pressure can cause skin damage and ultimately ulceration.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
A vascular specialist maps the faulty valves with a duplex ultrasound scan, which dictates treatment. Surgery with stripping has largely been replaced by keyhole thermal ablation under local anaesthetic, with success rates above 90% and same-day return to walking. In many parts of the UK, routine NHS referrals for this kind of problem currently take 20-45+ weeks, whereas an initial appointment with a private consultant is typically available within around two weeks.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant vascular surgeon. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Varicose veins.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What are varicose veins?
They are enlarged, twisted veins, usually in the legs, that occur when the one-way valves inside the veins weaken, allowing blood to pool rather than flow efficiently back to the heart.
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What causes varicose veins?
Risk factors include family history, prolonged standing, pregnancy, obesity, and ageing, all of which increase pressure on leg veins and contribute to valve weakening over time.
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What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Visible bulging, twisted veins, along with aching, heaviness, swelling, and sometimes itching in the legs, often worse after standing for long periods and improved by elevating the legs.
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Are varicose veins dangerous?
Most cases are a cosmetic and comfort issue rather than dangerous, but more advanced cases can lead to skin changes, ulcers, or, rarely, blood clots, so it's worth having symptomatic or worsening varicose veins assessed.
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Can varicose veins be treated?
Yes, treatment ranges from compression stockings and lifestyle measures for mild cases, to minimally invasive procedures such as endovenous laser or radiofrequency ablation, sclerotherapy, or, less commonly now, surgical vein stripping.
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How are varicose veins treated?
Modern treatment typically favours minimally invasive techniques (laser or radiofrequency ablation, or sclerotherapy) performed under local anaesthetic, with traditional surgery reserved for select cases.
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How long does recovery take after varicose vein treatment?
Recovery after minimally invasive procedures is usually quick, with most people returning to normal activities within a few days to a week.
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Varicose veins vs spider veins - what's the difference?
Varicose veins are larger, bulging, and often raised above the skin surface, while spider veins (telangiectasia) are smaller, flatter, web-like veins closer to the skin surface, often treated with simpler techniques like sclerotherapy.
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When is treatment needed for varicose veins?
Treatment is generally recommended when varicose veins cause symptoms like pain, swelling or skin changes, or for cosmetic reasons once initial conservative measures like compression stockings haven't provided sufficient relief.
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When should I see a vascular specialist, and how quickly can I be seen privately?
See a vascular specialist if varicose veins are symptomatic or worsening. NHS vascular waits can be lengthy for non-urgent cases; private vascular specialists can often see you within about two weeks.