Vein Doctors Never, Ever Do

Human bodies are truly incredible; yet we often take for granted their abilities in keeping us alive and well. Moment-by-moment, our arteries transport oxygen-rich blood from our hearts back out into our organs and tissues while veins carry it back towards it’s source. Over time however, this system may no longer function optimally due to certain behaviors which could inflict irreparable damage on its delicate ecosystem. There are ways to help combat harmful outcomes and promote overall wellness. HuffPost asked vascular surgeons, specialists on veins and arteries, for advice about what not to do for better blood vessel health. For example: They avoid sitting or standing still for too long at one spot. Dr. Tikva Jacobs from Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital advised HuffPost she try not to stand or sit still too long as an expert on vein disease. Her explanation? Our veins must work against gravity to return blood up toward our hearts. “They contain valves designed to prevent gravity from pulling blood back down towards our feet, yet over time those valves may take longer to close completely allowing some blood back through,” Jacobs noted. This additional volume of blood may result in symptoms like fatigue and swelling as it enters back through. “To avoid discomfort and keep our circulation running smoothly, make walking or toe-tapping an integral part of each day’s schedule – as doing so activates an essential process known as “calf muscle pump”. “Every step we take uses our calf muscles as an internal pump to push blood back up toward our hearts,” Jacobs explained. “I advise my patients who spend long hours sitting behind desks to set an alarm every hour to remind themselves to get up and move around every hour or two and activate their calf muscle pump; while those cooking should walk around or march in place to activate it.” Compression stockings should never be neglected when traveling by plane. “Compression stockings are socks designed to apply gentle pressure against veins in order to improve vein health and lower fluid build-up in legs,” according to Dr. Xiaoyi Teng of Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “After long hours standing or sitting, our blood can build up in our veins causing swelling to take hold in our legs, leading to uncomfortable swelling. Over time, this can cause delicate valves in your veins to rupture, leading to further fluid build-up, broken capillaries and varicose veins. “Compression stockings (sometimes referred to as compression socks) may help protect you against these and potentially more serious effects of blood circulation issues, particularly if you already suffer from cardiovascular conditions.” “What always stuns my patients most is when I inform them that anyone with vein conditions — such as varicose veins, leg swelling and insufficiency — should never board another plane without support stockings on,” according to Dr. J. Mark Rheudasil, director of Emory Vein Center. Flying is associated with blood clot formation; those with abnormal veins have an increased risk for such formation and the longer your flight, the more important this recommendation becomes.” Teng highlighted how compression stockings could benefit even people without any prior vascular issues: “Compression stockings are great additions for traveling or working all day”, Teng asserted. Today there are various styles of compression stockings, from thin ones suitable for professional attire to colorful ones intended to be worn casually – some even covered by insurance policies! They do not allow smokers into enclosed areas nor spend time smoking themselves. Dr. Sheila Blumberg of NYU Langone Hospital — Brooklyn advises her patients never to smoke and avoid enclosed spaces where smokers congregate, noting the particles from smoke, vaping and related activities as being especially toxic to veins and arteries. “Nothing could be more detrimental,” said Dr. Blumberg of her chosen path of vascular surgery practice: vascular surgery at NYU Langone. Teng believes the damage done from smoking is irreparable and would like to do everything she can to safeguard her vasculature as much as possible. Smoking causes hardening and stiffening of blood vessels which is associated with venous disease,” Teng added. Smokers also tend to experience greater difficulties healing after wounds caused by circulation issues or surgeries, making recovery harder than necessary. One way of decreasing risk and needing procedures or surgeries would be for smokers to quit smoking altogether.” Do not forget to get up from your desk and move around at least once every hour; don’t forget to elevate their legs either! “One way we can increase venous circulation is by elevating our feet, as this forces gravity to help bring blood back up the veins to our heart,” Jacobs suggested. So if you must sit or lie down for any length of time, kick up your feet so gravity can drain fluid out of the legs to reduce pressure on them and vein pressure, Teng said. Additionally, they don’t overlook hydration issues in their approach to healthcare. Staying hydrated offers numerous health advantages for our bodies; therefore, it should come as no surprise that staying hydrated also supports cardiovascular wellbeing. “To prevent dehydration and protect my health,” Blumberg recommends drinking at least 32 ounces of water daily. “Swallowing water regularly keeps blood from becoming viscous or sticky, giving me peace of mind about reducing risk for blood clotting while traveling,” they write. Additionally, physical exercise also provides many health benefits to circulation system. Exercise helps blood circulate more freely,” Rheudasil noted. Furthermore, exercising also prevents people from becoming as vulnerable to being overweight – something Rheudasil considered an additional factor contributing to vein issues. “Support Free JournalismImagine supporting HuffPost beginning at $2 and helping us deliver free, quality journalism that puts people first. Can’t afford a contribution right now? 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That is why vascular experts advise their clients against skipping gym time as an effective strategy to maintain good physical condition and aid blood flow throughout their bodies. “Exercise can do wonders for heart, lung and vein health,” Teng explained. “Walking can also strengthen muscle, lower blood pressure and boost mood; even just taking short strolls can have profound benefits on one’s health. “Support Free JournalismConsider supporting HuffPost starting at just $2 and help ensure we continue providing free, quality journalism that puts people first. Can’t afford it now? Alternatively you could open an account while reading for HuffPost. Thanks you again for all that you’ve given over time to HuffPost.” “Take ActionNow to Support Free JournalismWith over 500 articles available free online a month on HuffPost alone – what could possibly go wrong?! 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