Secondly, when you sit or stand for long periods of time, your muscles in the legs are not working.
This is because staying in one position for a long time forces your veins to work harder to pump blood to your heart. Your legs are part of the body most affected by being sedentary. The science proving that prolonged periods of standing or sitting increase varicose vein risk is pretty conclusive. A 2005 Danish study of nearly 10,000 workers found that “prolonged standing at work constitutes an excess risk of hospital treatment due to varicose vein, and accounts for more than one-fifth of all cases of working age.” A 2012 study in the journal Ergonomics concluded that “…the odds ratio of varicose veins was significantly high for prolonged standing for male and female workers.”
So, why are varicose veins primarily found in the legs?
Most other veins (eg. veins found in the arms) are closer to your heart than your legs are. The further away the veins, the longer and harder it takes for the blood to pump back to the heart.
TIP: If you are experiencing vein pain, avoid exposure to excessive heat e.g. hot tubs, spas, or saunas. Heat increases inflammation and swelling of the vein. Varicose veins are large and can become fragile. Rarely, excessive heat can rupture the veins and cause heavy bleeding inside the leg.
You may need treatment if you suffer from varicose veins. Our doctors are specialists who have undergone training in varicose vein laser treatment. Call us on 0420 102 637, or fill out our booking request form.
Read more: What causes foot and leg pain?
Reference: www.mydr.com.au/womens-health/varicose-veins
