At the Metropolitan Vascular Institute, we understand how important veins are to your circulation, and overall health.
Good circulation ensures that your body gets both the nutrients and oxygen it needs to keep your organs thriving.
As you age, keep an eye on your vein health to avoid:
- Pain
- Heaviness
- Unsightly Varicose and Spider Veins
- And chronic health problems such as Peripheral Vein Disease and Peripheral Arterial Disease
It’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle that promotes good vein health and keeps everything flowing along as it needs to.
Your entire body suffers the effects of damaged veins, but the good news is that there is a lot that you can do to maintain your vein health.
Veins and Heart Function
Think of your veins as the freeway that delivers the oxygen and nutrients your body needs to perform its best. When your veins are not performing well, it means that your heart has to do extra work to compensate and keep blood flowing. Constricted veins reduce the amount of blood and oxygen that your body needs to operate its critical systems.
Effects of Poor Vein Health
When you have unhealthy veins, your heart is working harder to get blood where it needs to be. When this happens, trouble such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke may not be far behind. Poor vein health can be a culprit behind the onset of these conditions. However, it is possible to manage these conditions and live a healthy life. Your entire body suffers the effects of damaged veins, but the good news is that changes to your lifestyle are a big help in improving your vein health.
Quit Smoking to Improve Vein Health
Smoking is a big contributor to unhealthy veins, so consider quitting as soon as possible. Nicotine and carbon dioxide from smoking restricts blood flow, making your heart work harder to pump blood throughout your body. A byproduct is plaque buildup in your veins and artery walls, creating even more damage.
However, once you quit smoking, your chances of improving your vein health can increase dramatically. Studies even suggest that circulation can improve within 12 weeks of quitting. For you to get on the path toward healthier veins, quitting smoking is a must.
Get Active For Better Circulation
Staying active and getting exercise help with maintaining your circulation as well. Walking is a great, low-impact way to increase your activity level along with activities like walking, jogging, or biking. It is recommended to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day, but if this is a challenge for you, start small and work your way up.
If you believe that you need additional support in managing your vein health, we are here to help you. Contact the Metropolitan Vascular Institute  at consultation in Waldorf, MD, at (301) 374-8540.
