Is My Job Worsening My Varicose Veins?

Does it seem like your varicose veins have gotten worse lately? The swelling, pain, itching, and heaviness is becoming unbearable, and it could be due to your job. Find out how your job can impact your varicose veins and what you can do to cope. Also, discover how to get treatment for varicose veins.

How Certain Jobs Impact Varicose Veins

People who work at jobs that require prolonged periods of standing or sitting are more likely to develop varicose veins. If you work in such a position and already have varicose veins, your line of work could make your symptoms worse.

In both instances, the veins have to work harder to move blood from the legs to the heart. This strains the circulatory system, causing and worsening varicose veins. 

Common jobs associated with varicose veins include:

• Hairdressing
• Teaching
• Retail
• Bartending
• Health care 
• Waiter service
• Office work

This is far from an all-inclusive list. If you sit and stand for long periods of time, you are at risk. 

What You Can Do

You might not be able to switch careers, but you can make some changes to lessen the strain on your veins. First, keep your blood flowing by moving around.  With movement comes muscle contractions.  The muscle contractions of the legs squeezes the veins and pushes the blood towards the heart.  If you find yourself sitting or standing in one place for too long, move around to reduce the pressure on your veins. You can also shift your weight while working to take the stress off your veins.

Be mindful when wearing shoes to work. Go with flat, comfortable shoes if possible. If you have to wear heels, go with something low.  Heels can result in limited flexion and extension of the ankle, reducing the amount of blood that can be pumped out of the calf.  You can pair your shoes with support stockings to help your blood flow from the legs to the heart. 

Get Help With Varicose Veins

You can also seek treatment for varicose veins. Dr. Vinay Madan and the Center for Varicose Veins offer a variety of therapies. Possible treatments include radiofrequency ablation, VenaSeal, and endovenous laser ablation. Dr. Madan can also provide guidance to lower your risk for developing new varicose veins while at work.

Contact the Center for Varicose Veins to schedule your consultation. With Dr. Madan’s help, you can get effective treatment for varicose veins.   

Author

Dr. Vinay Madan, MD, DABVLM Dr. Vinay Madan is a board certified Interventional Radiologist and Phlebologist with over 25 years of experience in treating vein disease. Dr. Madan has served as the Chairman of Radiology and Section Head of Vascular Interventional Radiology at Eastern Connecticut Health Network. Dr. Madan brings a wealth of knowledge which allows him to treat patients with cosmetic and medical vein disease in a caring and compassionate way.