How Do I Prevent Varicose Veins?

Posted by: Tampa Cardio

On: October 8, 2016

Living here in Florida, we often wear warm-weather clothing such as shorts, capris, and skirts. For those suffering from varicose veins, it can be embarrassing to show their legs in public. Varicose veins appear as blue or red squiggly, ropey enlarged veins that are prominent on the legs. We would much rather have people notice our shoes, clothing or handbag instead of on unsightly veins. There are some lifestyle changes that you can adopt to prevent varicose veins. Here are some suggestions:

  • Try to avoid standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time. Either one of these places unnecessary pressure on the veins in your legs, ultimately forming spider or varicose veins.
  • Get regular exercise to decrease your chance of venous insufficiency. This will strengthen your blood flow. It will also engage the calf muscles, which are your leg veins’ “helpers” in pumping blood back to the heart. Even walking at an easy pace every day will help.
  • Maintain a healthy weight to reduce the stress on your veins. Obesity contributes to the breakdown of the valve function and walls of the veins. This goes hand in hand with getting regular exercise.
  • Try to wear flat shoes. High heels isolate the calf muscle, preventing its movement. As mentioned, the calf muscles are needed in assisting the veins. When you wear flat shoes, you engage the leg muscles.
  • Do not smoke. Smoking contributes, among many other diseases, to venous insufficiency.
  • Avoid large amounts of sodium in your diet. Sodium can be found in many pre-packaged foods and in restaurant foods.

Varicose veins are not only unsightly but are painful to live with. There are many types of treatments that the doctors here at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates perform on patients who suffer from venous insufficiency. Endovenous thermal ablation, Sclerotherapy, and Phlebectomy are the procedures performed which are highly successful in ridding patients of problematic veins. If you or someone you know has varicose veins or spider veins and would like an evaluation, please call us at 813-975-2800 or visit us online at TampaCardio.com.

Posted by: Tampa Cardio

On: 08/10/2016

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