The tendency to develop varicose veins — those big, ugly blue and twisted veins that mar women’s legs — is passed down from mom to daughter. But more goes into the development of varicose veins than just genetics. By understanding what causes those unsightly veins, you can help prevent them and treat them.
Inside healthy blood vessels, little valves open and close to keep the blood flowing at a steady rate to or from your heart. If the valves break down and start malfunctioning due to age or other factors, your blood doesn’t flow in the right direction anymore.
Without momentum, the blood starts to pool up behind the broken valve, causing the vein to swell. Sometimes the blood even starts to flow backward. The over-engorged vein now bulges outward so that it’s visible.
In short, a varicose vein problem is really a vessel-valve problem. Varicose veins that develop deep inside your legs, where you can’t see them, can even cause dangerous blood clots.
Anything that stresses your veins, including aging and extra weight, can cause them to “go varicose.” Drs. Radoslav and Kevin Jovanovic — cosmetic surgery experts on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City — share tips on how to keep your vein valves as healthy as possible:
Crossing your legs puts pressure on your veins and valves, causing them to degrade over time. Find another position that’s comfortable but doesn’t stress leg veins, such as crossing at the ankles only.
Extra pounds stress your legs and leg veins. A healthy diet and exercise regimen doesn’t just help you look good, it helps your veins stay healthy and strong. If you need assistance getting to a healthy body weight, Dr. Kevin is certified to provide evidence-based, medical weight-loss services.
If you ever feel like dancing, do it! Or run, jump, do yoga, lift weights, or play sports. Better yet, do them all.
Moving and healthily stressing your body keeps your veins and valves healthy. Fun, regular exercise builds muscle — which helps support your veins — and increases your intake of life-giving oxygen.
Take a cue from baseball and take a stretching break every hour or so. Stretching helps your blood flow and prevents you from stressing your veins by sitting or keeping them in one position for too long.
When you’re on your feet all day, it’s not lazy to take a break: It’s essential. Non-stop stress on your feet and legs makes them more susceptible to developing problems, including varicose veins. Elevate your feet for extra relief.
You know you should, but you just haven’t been able to put away those cigarettes for good. But smoking robs your body of oxygen and may contribute to the development of varicose veins. Talk to Drs. Jovanovic if you need help.
Did you know that those garments that slim down your tummy so you can fit into your favorite dress might one day ruin your legs? Wearing tight garments around your waist, hips, and legs can damage your veins.
High heels make your legs look great. That is, until they develop unsightly varicose veins, bunions, hammer toes, and other problems. Whenever possible, wear comfortable shoes with flat heels and plenty of room in the toe box to avoid stressing your leg veins.
Pregnant? Though now’s not the time to lose weight, you still want to take the load off your feet whenever possible. Sleep on your left side to minimize stress on your heart and veins and maximize blood flow to your developing baby.
Drs. Jovanovic can help you maintain healthy leg veins, evaluate your legs for dangerous interior varicose veins, and eliminate unsightly veins with lasers and other innovative therapies. Getting rid of damaged and nonfunctional varicose veins lets your healthy veins reroute themselves and preserves the beauty of your legs.Dr. Jovanovic OB/GYN and Cosmetic Surgery use the powerful Samsung H60 Ultrasound to determine the causes of your varicose veins. This type of sophisticated imaging allows Dr. Jovanovic to see under the skin and make the correct diagnosis. This complete vascular examination of your veins and valves allows the practice to design a course of treatment to meet your needs.
Dr. Radoslav Jovanovic, founder of the Manhattan Laser Center for Vein Treatment, is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been treating women and men on the Upper East Side for over 30 years.
His intensive training in phlebology, ultrasound, and laser therapy gives him the unique ability to completely understand the causes and treatments of all types of vascular disease, in all areas of the body. He brings considerable warmth and understanding to every patient’s care.
Contact the Drs. Jovanovic for a vascular consultation today so you can have beautiful beach legs in weeks. Call the friendly office staff or use the online form.
