Home Test for Varicose Veins

How do you know if the lumps on your legs are varicose veins?

Varicose Veins – Simple Test by The Whiteley Clinic

There are many other things that can cause lumps on the legs apart from varicose veins. For instance, lipomas, sebaceous cysts and muscle hernias. These are often seen on the legs, looking just the same as varicose veins.

Therefore we have devised a very simple 3 stage “Home Test For Varicose Veins” that is pictured below:

Home Test For Varicose Veins – A Simple Test For Visible Varicose Veins

Background of the Home Test for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are veins that bulge under the surface of the skin. Normal veins do not bulge in this way, as they have valves in them. The valves in normal veins make the blood flow back to the heart during any movement.

However in varicose veins, the valves stop working. This means the blood isn’t pushed back towards the heart. Instead it falls back down the leg, collecting in the veins and stretching the walls. These areas become varicose veins.

If you want to know more about how this happens, see the book: “Understanding Venous Reflux – The Cause of Varicose Veins and Venous Leg Ulcers” which makes it easier to understand.    

Test for Varicose Veins at Home

This simple test for varicose veins uses the understanding of how veins and valves work. You can do it yourself at home – and if you are unsure, take a photo and send it to us to check on info@thewhiteleyclinic.co.uk.

If you put your leg down and leave for a minute or two, any visible varicose veins will been seen as bulges on the leg. These are usually at the calf but can also be on the thigh, ankle, knee or foot. The veins feel tense but can be squeezed away with pressure from and finger.

If you then lie down, bulges reduce and they feel less tense.

If you then raise your leg above your heart level, the veins disappear.

Lipomas, cysts, muscle hernias and other lumps will not go.

If you find varicose veins using this test, you need to have one of our specialist duplex ultrasound scans performed by a The Whiteley Clinic trained specialist technologist.

Beware Hidden Varicose Veins

Although this simple home test for varicose veins can be used for visible varicose veins, it does not show hidden varicose veins.

If you do have aching legs, swollen ankles, red or brown stains of the skin around the ankles or leg ulcers – and no varicose veins visible on the surface, you need to have one of our specialist duplex ultrasound scans to find out exactly what is going on.