Prevention

In the human body, blood that has been oxygenated by the lungs is pumped by the heart to the arteries, carrying oxygen and other nutrients to the rest of the body.

Veins, on the other hand, are a vascular network that carry the non-oxygenated blood back to the heart and lungs to trap oxygen molecules once again. Vein valves are tiny flaps that help with blood circulation and prevent the blood from flowing back in the opposite direction, which would cause the blood to pool - especially in the legs - due to the effects of gravity. Vein disorders, commonly known as “varicose veins,” will appear when vein valves are not performing correctly, mainly due to genetic predisposition.

Tips to maintain and enhance your health and circulatory system

• Exercise. Walking or any other kind of aerobic exercise (bike, swimming, elyptical, etc.) activates the calf muscles that pump the blood in the veins back to the heart. This reduces blood pressure and pooling inside the veins, which is a key component in varicose vein prevention. As an added surplus, good muscle tone improves blood circulation in general.
• Weigh control. Maintaining a healthy weight promotes better blood circulation; conversely, obesity contributes to increased blood pressure inside the veins.
• Clothing and shoes. It is a healthy habit to avoid wearing clothes that have elastic or that are too tight, since they obstruct good blood circulation. Shoes with low heels help calf muscles do their “pumping” job.
• Leg elevation. Raising the legs while resting facilitates venous blood return and diminishes leg and ankle congestion.
• Body position. When sitting or standing for long periods of time, it is advisable to take frequent strolls or to flex and extend the ankles in order to activate the muscular pump of the legs. It helps not crossing your legs too much.
• Compression stockings. Compression stockings enhance the vein function on the legs. It is recommended to wear them during long trips, and when standing for several hours. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) could be avoided on long trips by wearing compression stockings and taking frequent strolls down the airplane or train aisle, or by making frequent stops to stretch the legs if riding by car.
• Avoid prolongued sources of heat on your legs Avoid: very hot baths, placing the laptop on your lap, taling long sunbaths.
• Femenine hormones. Estrogen and progesterone contribute to weaken the wall of blood vessels. This is the reason why certain contraceptives and supplementary hormones for menopause accelerate the onset of varicose veins and vein weakening.