Among the triggering factors of venous disease in France, heredity comes first. And beyond its influence on the frequency of the disease, it makes it earlier and accelerates its evolution. What if it was “Napoleon’s fault”? Explanations.
- Venous disease concerns 18 million people in France
- Heredity appears to be the first triggering factor
- This heredity can come from both the mother and the father.
Heavy legs, varicose veins, edema? Ailments that deserve to be taken seriously because they are signs of a possible venous disease. Signs which, when they appear, especially deserve that one looks at his ascendants, mother and father. A study based on observations carried out in 24 countries and involving 120,000 patients indeed leads to the conclusion that heredity is without doubt the most powerful risk factor in this disease.
It is estimated that there are 18 million people affected in France, of whom only 30% would receive treatment. In those whose parents are themselves affected, we observe a greater frequency and precocity of this disease. “The risk before the age of 35 is multiplied by 2.6 in the event of heredity”specifies the vascular doctor and phlebologist Vincent Crébassa, who also insists on other consequences of this heredity, a more rapid evolution and more serious clinical stages of the disease.
A heredity that can come from the father as well as from the mother
Contrary to what the medical profession has long thought, this heredity is not only linked to the mother: it can come equally from both parents. It affects both men and women, even if the frequency of venous disease is higher in the latter (75% of cases are women) for reasons related to hormonal impregnation.
When both parents or even only one of them show signs of venous disease or are treated for this pathology, prevention and monitoring are therefore essential. “It is all the more important that there is no cure for this disease, which is therefore chronic and above all progressive, with stages which can become serious with in particular a risk of phlebitis which can lead to a pulmonary embolism”insists Vincent Crébassa.
Heaviness in the legs, impatience or varicose veins are therefore to be closely monitored and very early on when a family history exists, France being moreover one of the countries where heredity as a triggering factor for venous disease is the most widespread.
Reformers of the Grande Armée
The explanation would also be linked to the history of our country, as Vincent Crébassa tells it: “There is a link in the medical literature between venous disease and… the Napoleonic wars; by constituting his Great Army, the emperor would have liked to remove from it all the men who showed signs of venous disease and who, because of the long marches imposed on these troops, risked developing ulcers which made them soldiers unable to fight but that it was necessary all the same to accompany and nourish! So most of them were reformed… which saved them from being part of the victims of the Empire’s battles and thus having a larger number of descendants..”
So, even if it is “Napoleon’s fault”, that is no reason to neglect these evils. Especially since among the causes that can be linked to heredity, there are some against which we can act. “Venous disease is also favored by lack of physical exercise or excess weight, elements that can be corrected by changing lifestyle habits”emphasizes Vincent Crébassa.
If this is not enough and the disease is already well advanced, treatments can slow down or block its progression: “Venotonics are to be recommended and if they have been delisted, it is not because they were ineffective or harmful but above all for economic reasons”, explains Vincent Crébassa, also mentioning the contribution of compression garments in the management of venous disease. Other more “heavy” treatments also exist, in particular to reduce varicose veins, such as endovenous treatments, or even surgery when the varicose veins exceed the size of 3 millimeters.
In any case, the vascular doctor insists on the importance of monitoring symptoms, whatever they may be. “This disease is a loss of elasticity in the walls of the veins, so a disease that affects our circulatory system, which is why it should be taken seriously!”
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