Vein Health – Its Importance In Preventing Circulatory Problems

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Vein Health And Preventing Circulatory Problems – An Overview

The importance of maintaining healthy veins cannot be underestimated. By focusing on your vein health, you can help ensure proper blood circulation, promote overall leg health and reduce the chances of developing circulatory- related vein disease.

Part of the human circulatory system, the veins are responsible for removing carbon dioxide by returning deoxygenated blood back to the heart and lungs, where it receives oxygen which will be transported through the body via the arteries.

Healthy veins ensure that this cycle functions properly and leads to optimal organ and muscle function, a strong body immune response to fight infection, and promotes faster wound healing if it should occur. Generally speaking, a healthy circulatory system also supports physical activity, mental sharpness, and a general sense of well-being which directly impacts the overall quality of life.

Alternatively, if veins become damaged, diseased or otherwise impaired, the circulatory system will begin to function abnormally, which can lead to changes in your skin including swelling and the feeling of heaviness, aches and pain in parts of your body, as well as the appearance of varicose veins and the formation of venous insufficiency. Vein disease is a progressive disease, and the symptoms of venous disease will become worse with time. If the signs and development of venous disease are ignored, left undiagnosed and untreated they will become worse and can lead to more serious health conditions such as chronic venous insufficiency, venous ulcers, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) where blood clots form in a deep vein, and the development of chronic wounds .

What Can Negatively Impact Vein Health

There are certain non-modifiable risk factors which can negatively impact your overall vein health and include:

Genetic predisposition – your family history can be one of the strongest predictive factors for developing venous disease. Inherited traits can affect vein wall strength, valve function, and overall circulatory system efficiency.
Aging process - the aging process is a natural contributing factor to vein valve deterioration and wall weakening. Over time, the elastic fibers in vein walls lose their strength and flexibility, making them more susceptible to stretching and damage. The years of exposure to gravitational pressure and repeated stress from daily activities can also gradually wear down delicate vein valve structures, ultimately leading to valve disfunction.
Having had previous injuries, surgeries, or trauma which may have damaged vein walls or valves, and even minor injuries that can affect blood flow patterns, can contribute to long-term circulatory problems which increase the risk venous disease.

Other modifiable risk factors that you do have control over include:

Diabetes – having diabetes can result in high blood glucose levels causing damage to the overall circulatory and vascular system in particular. Therefore, it is important to keep your blood sugar levels within target ranges to reduce the development risk of venous disease.
Poor posture – sitting or standing in the same position for too long can lead to increasing pressure within the vein walls, which can lead to valve dysfunction and the development of venous disease. You should switch positions frequently, and when sitting, keep your feet on the floor instead of crossing your legs.
Smoking – and the use of tobacco products can significantly increase the risk of developing venous disease. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels, reduces the blood flow and increases the pressure on the veins, while tar and carbon monoxide weaken the walls of the vein, making them more prone to bulging.
Weight - obesity and excess body weight can contribute to varicose vein development by increasing pressure on the leg veins and reducing overall circulation efficiency. The additional weight also requires the circulatory system to work harder to transport blood throughout the body, while extra pressure on the abdomen can impede blood flow from the legs back to the heart.
Hormonal birth control or hormone therapy for menopause - the estrogen found in these treatments can increase your risk for venous disease and therefore it is important to consult with your healthcare provider about the form of birth control or menopause therapy that is best for you.

If symptoms of venous disease should appear, it is important to consult your healthcare provider to ensure that your health condition is properly diagnosed and an appropriate treatment plan can be prescribed.

What Can I Do to Promote Vein Health

Having healthy veins is core a foundation of maintaining a healthy circulatory system, which in turn will directly impact the overall quality of your life. There are several simple methods of self-care that can easily be adopted and become part of your lifestyle and daily habits that will help promote vein health.

Stay hydrated – having enough water in your body helps thin the blood out, helping it to flow more feely and thereby reducing pressure within the veins. Dehydration will cause blood to thicken which in turn puts more pressure on the vein walls and can cause the veins to bulge.
Elevate your legs – as gravity helps the blood flow backwards towards the heart, elevating your legs for even a few minutes can make a big difference in improving circulation and reducing pressure and swelling in your legs.
Avoid prolonged standing or sitting – prolonged sitting or standing will cause increased pressure to the leg veins and vein walls, in addition to contributing to the pooling of blood in your legs and feet.
Eat a balanced diet – following a balanced, healthy diet is very important for contributing to your vein health. A healthy diet will not only help you lose or maintain your weight, but increased intake of healthy vitamins and nutrients will contribute to your overall cardiovascular health.
Physical exercise and maintaining an active lifestyle – being active is the most simple way of helping to maintain vein health. In addition to the direct benefits for having healthy veins, exercise and activity can help lower blood pressure, improve overall cardiovascular health, help lose or maintain weight and generally can boost your mood and improve cognitive function. Low-impact exercise, such as walking or cycling, is particularly recommended if you already suffer from unhealthy veins.
Lose weight – obesity and excessive weight directly leads to increased pressure on the legs. With time the added pressure and strain on your veins caused by excess weight will contribute to the development of vein-related disease, including varicose veins, venous insufficiency, venous ulcers and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Stop smoking – the harmful effects of smoking extend beyond respiratory issues, and elevates the risk of developing venous disease among other heath issues.
Wear compression stockings – compression stockings help to apply pressure to the legs which helps promote improved blood flow and reduces the risk of developing circulatory problems. Compression stockings are especially helpful if you spend a lot of time standing, sitting or experience prolonged periods of inactivity. Wearing compression stockings are also very helpful for improving circulation if you are obese or pregnant. Consult with your healthcare provider as to the correct level of compression that is needed for your particular circumstances.

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Additional Resources For Understanding Vein Health And Venous Disease

Click here to read more about varicose veins: causes, symptoms and treatment.

Click here to read more about understanding venous insufficiency.

Click here to read more about chronic venous insufficiency.

Click here to read more about venous insufficiency ulcers and venous ulcerations.

Click here to read more about treating venous insufficiency venous ulcerations.

Click here to read frequently asked questions about venous insufficiency.