Preventing and Managing Varicose Veins in Your 50s

A burning sensation in your calf

As people get older, it’s more likely to see varicose veins developing on their legs. The valves in peoples’ veins weaken as they age, letting the blood pool and encouraging the development of twisted and enlarged varicose veins. If you’re in your 50s and don’t want varicose veins, it’s vital to know the precautions you can take to stop them from developing. Thankfully, there are several different ways you can prevent varicose veins.

Effective Strategies to Prevent Varicose Veins

Before you have visible veins on your leg, you can take several precautions to ensure you keep your blood flowing. You can incorporate the following actions into your daily routine to prevent varicose veins:

  • Exercise regularly: The muscles in your legs help keep the blood pumping through your veins up to your heart. If you start seeing visible veins, like spider or varicose veins, completing exercises that work your leg muscles will help prevent new ones from forming.
  • Maintain a healthy weight: Maintaining a healthy weight can ensure your veins don’t have more pressure put on them. A common instigator of varicose veins is being overweight or obese. The pressure put on the veins from extra weight makes it harder for the blood to move upward against gravity.
  • Move around periodically: Staying still, whether sitting or standing, can cause pressure to build in your legs, encouraging the blood to pool in your veins. Periodically moving around can help improve blood circulation in your legs.
  • Wear compression socks: Compression socks can assist with preventing and reducing the swelling in your legs caused by blood pooling. The pressure from compression socks or stockings prevents veins from expanding and allowing blood to flow backward down the leg.
  • Elevate your feet: Keeping your feet elevated while sitting can help the blood in your legs flow back to your heart.

 

Exercise Regimens for Varicose Veins Relief

If you have varicose veins in your 50s, staying active and exercising can relieve pain and prevent more varicose veins from developing. Some exercises you could do for your varicose veins include:

  • Walking: Engaging in low-impact activities like walking is good for your heart and legs. As you walk, your calf leg muscles will circulate the blood, helping prevent varicose veins from growing. A 30-minute daily walk could also potentially reduce the varicose veins you already have.
  • Cycling: Cycling is another low-impact activity that can get your leg muscles moving, whether you use a stationary bike, ride around the neighborhood or engage in a bicycle exercise by laying on your back and doing the motions.
  • Swimming: Your varicose veins can benefit from swimming, as well. Pools have less gravity that can interfere with your blood flow, so there’s decreased pressure on your veins when you swim. Moving many muscles while swimming helps improve your blood circulation overall.

Get in Touch with Central Florida Vein & Vascular Center

Varicose veins in your 50s can easily be prevented by staying healthy and participating in low-impact exercises. To learn more about varicose vein prevention or ask a question about possible treatments, get in touch with us by filling out our online form. We look forward to hearing from

Ocoee / Health Central

10000 W. Colonial Dr. #495
 Ocoee, FL 34761

(407) 293-5944 | Fax: (407) 293-7355
Hunters Creek / The Loop

1130 Cypress Glen Circle
 Kissimmee, FL 34741

(407) 293-5944 | Fax: (407) 293-7355
The Villages

13953 Northeast 86th Terrace, Suite 101
Lady Lake, FL 32159

(352) 561-2800 | Fax: (407) 293-7355