Running is a widely popular form of exercise. Running gives a strong heart and cardiovascular system, lowers blood lipids and cholesterol, increases lung capacity, keeps fit, strengthens metabolism, delays bone degeneration and slows down aging. In this era of universal fitness and health, running has so many benefits, but can you run and exercise with varicose veins on your legs? This is a very troubling problem for patients with mild to moderate varicose veins, and a large number of outpatients will ask this question.
1.Can varicose veins be exercised by running?
Under normal circumstances, the venous blood of both legs need to overcome gravity to return to the heart from bottom to top, which must be done by the calf muscle pump, lower extremity vein valve and negative pressure in the chest cavity. In addition, there are many valves in the veins of the lower limbs, when the blood flows back to the heart, these valves are open, and vice versa these valves are closed, so that the blood can only travel in one direction without reflux, equivalent to a one-way valve. Because of various reasons the elasticity of the venous valves decreases and cannot withstand the gravity of the blood, they will close poorly, causing the blood to backflow and stagnate, which in the long run forms extensive varicose veins in the lower extremities.
Varicose veins do not develop in many people who play sports. From the perspective of hemodynamics, when healthy people exercise, because of the normal function of the valves, the regular contraction of the muscles makes the deep venous blood flow back faster, and the pressure of the subcutaneous veins can be lower than at rest, so moderate running exercise will not only not cause varicose veins in the lower extremities, but on the contrary, running can make the leg muscle activity enhanced, squeezing the blood in the veins, making them flow more smoothly, and also It helps to prevent and improve varicose veins in the lower limbs. Varicose vein patients, because of impaired venous valve function should avoid activities like weight lifting, fast sprinting sprint, long jump, throwing, etc. that cause increased abdominal pressure, but can do jogging, swimming, cycling, jumping rope and other exercises.
2.How to exercise suitable for varicose veins
Each 15 minutes to 30 minutes of running can make the leg muscle activity enhanced and squeeze the blood in the veins to make them flow more smoothly, which can help the relief of varicose veins. Many varicose vein patients have experienced that running for a while in the afternoon when their legs are sore and uncomfortable will make them feel less uncomfortable. This is because when running, the movement of gastrocnemius muscle increases, and the veins are like pumping the blood accumulated in the varicose veins towards the heart. At the same time, because the local microcirculation is accelerated, the metabolism of varicose veins is also accelerated, and the veins can be restored to normal faster. Resting for a while can be done again for 15 to 30 minutes of running.
But running for more than 30 minutes for medium to long distance can aggravate varicose veins. This is because long time running will cause the muscle and blood lactic acid accumulation blocking oxygen supply, lactic acid is the product of oxygen metabolism in the body, each person’s lactic acid value of the production, accumulation, the ability to remove, are different by their own body quality and different, in the case of varicose veins, the body of lactic acid metabolism more slowly, more easily cause fatigue, thus aggravating the degree of varicose veins.
3.What if I want to strengthen the exercise and run for a longer period of time?
Varicose vein patients need to take protective measures when running for a long time, it is recommended to use secondary compression medical elastic stockings. It is recommended to wear short compression stockings that cover the foot up to the knee. The compression stockings that only cover the calf to the ankle can cause poor blood return to the foot and swelling of the foot surface. Medical elastic stockings have a special pressure gradient, which counteracts venous high pressure with external pressure, prompting venous blood to return to the heart, accelerating lactic acid metabolism, making the affected limb heavy, leg swelling, pain and other symptoms disappear quickly, and preventing varicose veins from aggravating.
4.What matters should I pay attention to after running exercise?
It is not advisable to rest immediately after exercise. The body will continue to secrete lactic acid in the following hours after exercise, and lactic acid will be accumulated in the muscle tissue in large quantities with the decrease of blood circulation speed immediately after resting, which will cause the rise of fatigue feeling, so you should walk for a short time after running and then rest. Blood circulation and proper muscle movement can help the body metabolize lactic acid and make the body feel more relaxed. After running back home can lie on the bed to rest, raise the legs above the level of the heart, into a 30-degree angle is appropriate, can promote blood circulation in the legs, relieve lower limb venous stasis. Massage and stretching muscles after exercise can help lactic acid metabolism. Taking a warm bath can effectively promote blood flow and is one of the good ways to release lactic acid. Adequate sleep is beneficial to the recovery of physical fatigue. Attention should be paid to timely hydration after exercise, but not too much, so as not to weaken the digestive function and appetite. The diet should be more starchy and protein than before, such as eggs and milk, with easily digestible food as the mainstay, and more alkaline food. More vegetables can help metabolize lactic acid, meat is not conducive to lactic acid metabolism.
5.Will normal people get varicose veins after running for a long time?
From the perspective of hemodynamic observation, when healthy people exercise, due to the normal function of the valve, the regular contraction of the muscle makes the deep venous blood flow back faster, the pressure of the subcutaneous veins can be lower than at rest, so the appropriate running exercise, not only will not cause varicose veins in the lower limbs, but also help prevent varicose veins in the lower limbs. Long time exercise runner legs will have veins bulge, like bodybuilders developed muscle surface veins obviously protrude, this is not varicose veins.
6, distinguish the stage of varicose veins, can accurately determine whether the need for surgical treatment
When varicose veins develop to a certain severity, they need timely surgical treatment, otherwise running will aggravate varicose veins and lead to complications like ulcers, bleeding, inflammation, thrombosis and so on. Such patients need surgery to cure varicose veins after which they can run and exercise at ease.
Grade 0, no visible or palpable signs of venous disease.
Grade 1, with capillary dilation, reticular veins, and flushing of the manic area.
Grade 2, with varicose veins.
Grade 3, with edema but no skin changes due to venous disease.
grade 4, with skin changes caused by venous disease such as hyperpigmentation, venous eczema and skin sclerosis
Grade 5, skin changes due to venous disease and healed ulcers
Grade 6, skin changes caused by venous disease and ongoing ulcers
The indications for varicose vein surgery are: moderate or higher regurgitation of the saphenous vein valve, pain, itching, swelling, rupture and other symptoms affecting life, progressive increase in the degree of varicose vein, etc. Generally speaking, varicose veins of stages 4, 5 and 6 are absolute indications for surgery, while stage 2 with symptoms and stage 3 can be considered for elective surgery.