Veins in your legs have the job of moving blood back towards the heart. Veins have valves to help blood move back in one direction only and that is back to the heart. Problems happen when these valves no longer work properly. Blood then flows backwards in the vein and the backup of blood leads to higher pressure in the veins below. High pressure causes the veins to enlarge, more valves to fail and not function properly leading to more varicose veins.
Other signs include swollen ankles and leg discomfort from standing or sitting for long periods of time. This slows the flow of blood, reduces the amount of oxygen supplied to the legs and allows fluid to accumulate. Over a period a time in more severe cases, skin discolouration or venous ulcers can occur in the ankle area.