Does Weightlifting or Running Cause Varicose Veins?
If you lift weights or run regularly, you may have noticed that your veins bulge after you finish a set. You may have also noticed that your veins bulge whenever you finish resistance training or maybe after a long run, but does weightlifting, intense workouts, or running contribute to the development of unsightly varicose veins?
Varicose Veins and Weightlifting
Almost everyone presumes that the rise in blood flow while you’re exercising leads to bulged veins. Fortunately, the increased blood pressure inside your veins won’t make your veins rise or bulge to your skin’s surface. When lifting weights, the veins bulge to the skin’s surface because of heightened plasma. That sharp spike in the plasma may cause the muscle mass to harden or swell.
Does weightlifting, running, or other intense workouts cause varicose veins? No, in fact running and weightlifting can improve your body’s blood circulation. In addition, the chances of the blood pooling up in the veins will decrease when your body’s blood circulation is improved. The more oxygen you can circulate throughout your body, the less likely you will suffer from muscle fatigue after you stop your workout.
If you are already at risk for developing vein disease you should avoid doing regular workouts that involve heavy weights. Putting increased demand on your muscles and veins by lifting heavy weights can stress the venous system and weaken the valves that keep the blood flowing properly.
It’s important to consult one of our vein specialists if you’re at risk of developing vein disease. They can talk with you about the reasonable amount of weights you should lift if you don’t want to aggravate your venous insufficiency.
Prevent Pain During Exercise
The following tips can help you feel more comfortable while exercising and will also positively benefit your overall health:
- Run on shock-absorbing surfaces– Pick places like grass, dirt tracks, or athletic tracks. This will limit the impact on your calves and thighs to reduce pain.
- Get cushioned workout shoes – Make sure your work-out shoes have good arch support and cushion, even for lifting.
- Wear compression stockings or socks – Wear compression stockings in order to help the flow of blood back to the heart. The main idea is that they will help squeeze the veins just the right amount so that the blood flow can be encouraged back to the heart.
- Walk or ride a bike after lifting – This promotes healthy blood flow following a lifting session because lifting can put a lot of strain on circulation, you’ll want to make sure you do a proper cool down post work-out.
If you are suffering from vein disease or any of the symptoms associated with vein disease, it is very important to seek treatment sooner than later as leaving vein disease untreated can lead to more serious complications.
Our vein treatment centers offer non-surgical outpatient procedures that are safe and effective. Get in touch with us today by calling 888.768.3467 or click the button below to schedule your appointment online.