When it comes to the health of veins and the entire vascular system, some people seem to have better “luck” than others. But is that really the case? It may not be luck, per se, but it could be genetics. In short, vein disease can be hereditary. That means the chance for it to be a problem for someone could be passed down from parents to children. Not everyone may see issues like this, but some people could. For others, there won’t be a problem at all, and they may feel as though they have escaped a potential problem that others in their family have experienced.
What Makes Vein Problems Hereditary?
Because the DNA of the parents is passed down to the children, problems that are coded into that DNA can also be passed along. That includes both mental and physical health issues, of which vein disease can be apart. There are no guarantees that a parent will pass vein problems down to their children, but the risk of those children does go up. They may not see issues at all, and those who do likely won’t see problems until they are older, but it is something they should be aware of when taking care of their overall health.
Are All of the Family Members at Risk?
Technically, having family members with the vascular disease do put other members of that family at a higher risk of the same types of issues. But it depends on the familiar relationship, as well. For example, children with vein issues cannot pass those along to their parents. Most people look at their family history to see whether a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, or uncle) has experienced vein issues. If the answer to any of those is yes, then there is a higher chance of seeing vascular problems in that person’s future. But there is no reason to believe that everyone who has vein problems in their family will see these same kinds of issues.
What Can You Do About Vein Disease?
Doing something proactive about vein disease is a good first step. While it is not always possible to stop it from becoming an issue, it is possible to catch it early so treatment can begin. That way, there is less chance of the disease progressing and causing more serious problems. If you think you may have vascular disease, or if you have close family who does, talking to your doctor can be the right choice. Monitoring your health is a great way to catch issues quickly, so they can be treated before they have a chance to become more severe.
Talking to a Vascular Surgeon Can Help
Your primary doctor may refer you to a vascular surgeon who can look at your family history and determine what, if any, steps you should take right now. For some people, closer monitoring is enough. For others, treatment is advised. Depending on what kind of risk level you have and who else in your family may have had vein issues, your doctor may be more or less concerned about your future prospects for development of vascular disease. By focusing on your long-term health and working with your doctor on any treatments necessary, you can reduce the chances of hereditary vein disease becoming a significant problem in your life.
