Varicose Vein Prevention

For the most part, you can’t prevent all varicose veins from forming. But you can reduce your risk of developing varicose veins and you can lessen the worsening of existing varicose veins. Below are a few varicose vein preventions tips for you to implement.

Varicose Vein Prevention Tips

1) Avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time.  Because of gravity, it makes it more difficult for your blood to travel through the veins in your legs when you stand or sit in one position for an extended time period. Eventually, this can cause the blood around your ankles to pool and cause your calves and feet to swell and feel achy. Your blood won’t circulate as easily and venous pressure can build.

2)  Perform exercises if you sit for extended periods of time. If you must remain seated for long periods at a time, for example, because To improve blood circulation and decrease your venous pressure:

• Peddle your feet as if you are riding a bicycle.
• Bending your knees as if you are marching.
• Stretch your ankles often.

3)  Elevate your legs. For better blood circulation and reduced ankle swelling, elevate your legs 15 minutes at least three times daily.

4) Wear hosiery that offers compression. Compression hosiery comes in the form of compression socks and compression stockings. These help your veins function appropriately and help to decrease blood pooling, pain, and swelling. They also help to keep the valves in your vein positioned properly. Talk to your vein doctor about the best type of compression hosiery for you as they are available in different compression options, from mild to moderate to firm and extra firm. You should especially consider wearing compression hose if varicose veins run in your family.

5) Exercise regularly. Walking is by far the best exercise to help to prevent varicose veins. Make it a point to take at least one walk every day. Yoga is another helpful exercise as well. Practicing poses that elevate your feet is helpful to improve fluid flow. Some yoga poses also offer beneficial calf and hamstring stretches to help keep your valves functioning well.

5) Lose weight if overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese puts added pressure on your veins and could potentially lead to varicose veins. If you have extra pounds, work to lose them by exercising and eating a healthy diet. Avoid consuming a high-salt diet, which can cause fluid retention.

Fortunately, before & after photos reveal that varicose veins can be successfully treated through laser vein treatment.  If you have varicose veins, reach out to us here at the Vascular & Interventional Associates Vein Center. As a Cincinnati vein treatment center, we can help treat your varicose veins