There are many things you may have been told about varicose veins, but what is true and what isn’t? There is no one thing that can cause varicose veins, although there are risk factors that could increase your chance or make varicose veins worse if you already have them.
Crossing Your Legs
You cannot get varicose veins just from crossing your legs. Although crossing your legs can cause extra pressure on the veins, it is not the main reason why a vein becomes varicose. However, if you already have varicose veins, it can exacerbate them through the extra pressure caused.
Hot Baths
If you love a hot bath, there is no need to worry, this will not cause veins to become varicose. The veins aid the body in regulating its temperature, therefore, when the skin is subject to heat, the veins, capillaries, and arteries work together to enable blood to flow closer or further from the skin, depending if they want to retain or lose heat. This will cause the skin to go red, but it has nothing to do with varicose veins and is a normal bodily reaction to heat. However, long exposure to heat is not recommended if you do have varicose veins, as it can cause blood pooling, but hot baths will not cause varicose veins.
Poor Circulation
Varicose veins are not a sign of poor circulation; it is a sign that a particular vein is damaged. It does not affect circulation as other veins will make up for the work of the affected vein. Veins are not the main blood vessel that aid in circulation. Veins take blood flow to the heart at a relatively low pressure. Arteries are mostly responsible for blood circulating around the body, pumping it through at a high pressure.
Standing for Long Periods
This also does not cause varicose veins. It is a risk factor and can make the valves relatively weak in the veins, as gravity is working against the veins for long periods of time. It can make the problem worse if you are already a sufferer from varicose veins. If you have varicose veins and do have a job where you stand for long periods, you may be advised to wear compression stockings.
If you are suffering from varicose veins, contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best varicose vein doctor in NYC.