Kelly
09-13-2000, 06:12 AM
Hi All, I received this info from an email newsletter. It's pretty interesting - I never thought that exercise could contribute to vericose veins.
"Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that look blue and are
close to the surface of the skin. They are caused by the breakdown of
small, one-way valves in the veins that normally keep blood moving
back to the heart.
To prevent pooling of blood in the legs after exercise, try the
following suggestions:
- Begin to reduce the intensity of the exercise five to ten minutes
before the end of the workout. The reduction of the demand for oxygen
in the muscles will keep the blood moving back toward the rapidly
beating heart. As you continue to exercise at a lower level, the
muscles will contract/relax, sending the blood back toward the heart.
This will eliminate the pooling of blood in the lower legs.
- Stretch the muscles that have just been used when the exercise
ends. As the heart rate continues to fall, this will make it easier
for blood to flow through the veins back to the heart.
- Perform upper body and abdominal exercises. The blood will carry
the oxygen to the new set of muscles being exercised and will not stay
in the legs as long.
- Prop the legs up higher than the heart and let gravity drain the
excess blood back to the upper body.
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time immediately after
exercising."
"Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that look blue and are
close to the surface of the skin. They are caused by the breakdown of
small, one-way valves in the veins that normally keep blood moving
back to the heart.
To prevent pooling of blood in the legs after exercise, try the
following suggestions:
- Begin to reduce the intensity of the exercise five to ten minutes
before the end of the workout. The reduction of the demand for oxygen
in the muscles will keep the blood moving back toward the rapidly
beating heart. As you continue to exercise at a lower level, the
muscles will contract/relax, sending the blood back toward the heart.
This will eliminate the pooling of blood in the lower legs.
- Stretch the muscles that have just been used when the exercise
ends. As the heart rate continues to fall, this will make it easier
for blood to flow through the veins back to the heart.
- Perform upper body and abdominal exercises. The blood will carry
the oxygen to the new set of muscles being exercised and will not stay
in the legs as long.
- Prop the legs up higher than the heart and let gravity drain the
excess blood back to the upper body.
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time immediately after
exercising."