Now accepting virtual appointments. Schedule a virtual visit.

Is Walking Good For Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins occur when the tiny valves in your veins stop working the way they’re supposed to, interfering with normal circulation. Since exercise can help improve circulation, it makes sense that exercise – at least some types – can be beneficial for improving your vein health. In fact, being physically active can play an important role in varicose vein treatment and prevention.

The thing is, not all exercises are created equal – and not all exercises are good for varicose veins. Some exercises, like weightlifting, can actually increase the pressure inside your veins. That means the pressure on the tiny valves inside your veins can also increase, which means it’s more likely they’ll become damaged and begin to malfunction. In short, these exercises may even increase your risk of developing varicose veins.

Walking: A Great Choice for Varicose Veins

As it turns out, walking is one of the best exercises for varicose veins, and for your overall health too. That’s really good news because walking is also very accessible: Most people are able to increase the amount of time they spend walking, and aside from a decent pair of shoes, you don’t need any special equipment. Plus, walking is a low-impact aerobic activity, which means it doesn’t stress the joints like running or jumping.

Walking benefits your vascular health in several important ways:

Regular walking typically is safe for just about anyone. But because varicose veins can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious underlying disease, if you have varicose veins, it’s a good idea to schedule a vein evaluation before beginning any type of exercise program, especially if you’ve been leading a pretty inactive lifestyle.

Take control of your vein health.

As a top provider of Cincinnati vein treatment and varicose vein surgery, Vascular Interventional Associates Vein Center Can help you improve your vein health with state-of-the-art treatments and lifestyle changes tuned to your unique needs. To learn more about the treatment options we offer, visit our site to see before & after photos or call us at 859-286-7333 to schedule your vein evaluation today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Why You Should Never Ignore Leg Swelling

Leg swelling might come from something passing and not harmful, but it could also signal a serious health condition. To make sure it’s not the latter, seek medical care when you notice swelling in your legs.

Understanding Your Treatment Options for Chronic Sciatica

About 40% of people in the United States experience sciatica at some point. Are you living with sciatic nerve pain that won’t go away? Here, we’ve laid out four treatment approaches that can help you find relief from chronic sciatica.