New Year, New Legs: Resolving to Achieve Happier, Healthier Legs in 2022

Posted on January 10, 2022

With a new year upon us, it’s time to set those resolutions. And if you’re one of the 22 million women and 11 million men that have varicose veins, a great resolution for you is to get your leg health in order.First, it’s important to really understand what varicose veins are if you want to improve your leg health. Varicose veins are the twisted, bulging blue blood vessels that are right under the surface of your skin. They may cause your legs to feel heavy, uncomfortable, or even swell. Occasionally they can be an indication of or lead to more serious health conditions. If you combine healthy practices with vein removal treatment, your legs will feel and look great this new year!

Here are 4 practices to get happier, healthier legs for 2022:

1. Manage your blood pressureDid you know that you may have high blood pressure and not even realize it?! It’s important to get your blood pressure under control because there is a direct correlation between high blood pressure and varicose veins. Varicose veins occur when there is damage to the valves on the walls of your blood vessels, which is caused by too much pressure against them. That’s one reason it is vitally important to get your blood pressure regularly checked by your primary care provider. If it is high, your doctor can help you manage it through measures such as a low-sodium diet or even blood pressure medication.
2. Chug that waterDrinking plenty of water not only keeps your skin glowing and your thirst quenched, but it also helps alleviate some of the symptoms associated with varicose veins. Drinking plenty of water helps increase the circulation of blood throughout the body (as water makes the blood thinner). The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.
3. Eat the rainbowBioflavonoids give food extremely vibrant colors and are good for preventing the development of varicose veins and benefitting someone who already is suffering from them. The more colorful your diet, the better it is for your health. Start improving vein health by adding foods rich in color to your diet. Some excellent options are spinach, berries, citrus fruits, red onions, kale, and red bell peppers.
4. Get movingGetting plenty of exercise is a key strategy to achieving healthier legs. Staying active reduces your risk of vascular conditions like hypertension, peripheral artery disease, and varicose veins. Exercise can be anything from a daily stroll around your neighborhood to taking a dance fitness class at your local gym— any activity that you enjoy and that gets your heart rate up. Also, make it a point to get up and move more throughout the day. People who work desk jobs need to be especially conscious of this because, on average, they get fewer steps in a day than someone who works on their feet. Wearing a pedometer or smartwatch can help you keep track of your step goals too.

Great looking legs are easy to achieve with the help of our expert clinical staff here at Varicosity Vein Center. If you’re looking for an optimal plan to successfully treat your vascular condition, improve your vascular functionality, and greatly improve your quality of life, contact us today to request an appointment.