Your bulging varicose veins may be unsightly and uncomfortable, but are varicose veins a sign of heart disease? That is a great question. Veins are the vessels that carry blood back to the heart and lungs to be oxygenated, and varicose veins are a sign of a blood flow problem somewhere on this journey. While varicose veins do indicate an issue with proper blood flow and healthy circulation, there isn’t necessarily a connection between varicose veins and heart problems. However, this doesn’t mean varicose veins aren’t a very real risk to your overall health and wellbeing.