Varicose veins are a progressive problem that can significantly reduce quality of life if not treated properly, with one in five adults suffering from visible varicose veins. Philippa Bradley, a 60-year-old mother of three from Vale of Clwyd in North Wales, suffered from varicose veins for 40 years, experiencing intense discomfort in her pelvis. She underwent Endovenous Laser Ablation treatment for her varicose veins, which cost thousands and was life-changing.
Tillie Amartey, a 22-year-old actor and Strictly Come Dancing star, struggled with varicose veins on the back of both legs. She decided to seek treatment after a red carpet picture showed her varicose vein visibly. Tillie Amartey described her legs feeling heavy, like lead, by the end of the day, and worsening with flights and heat, leading her to undergo an endovenous laser ablation procedure at VeinCentre in Leeds, which lasted less than an hour.
Experts say varicose veins are not taken seriously enough and common beliefs about them are wrong, with lifestyle factors, age, and genetics contributing to the condition.