5 Jobs That Put You At Risk For Varicose And Spider Veins

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Did you know that over 40 million Americans suffer from varicose and spider veins? They are a more common condition than you think and there are a variety of factors that have an effect on your likelihood of developing them. From genetics, to hormones, to lifestyle – these factors all play a role in the risk of developing varicose and spider veins.

Many people don’t realize how much of an impact their career can have on their lifestyle and overall health. Some jobs call for long hours, standing on your feet all day while other jobs may require hours and hours spent at a desk. For vascular health in particular, it is important to move around rather than spending the entire day stationary, whether that be standing or sitting.

It is fundamentally important to understand the role our veins play in our overall health. Blood is recycled through our body, and it is our veins’ job to push the blood back up to our heart, against the force of gravity. They do so with the help of our muscles and valves that continuously pump the blood upwards and prevent it from flowing back toward the feet. For someone who is dealing with varicose, spider veins, or venous insufficiency, either the valves in their veins aren’t working properly and/or the person is too sedentary. Consequently, the blood will move in both directions and start to pool in the veins, causing them to become dilated and bulged.

Over the past 15 years, Chuback Medical Group has treated thousands of patients suffering from varicose and spider veins. There are, however, certain populations of patients where this is more prevalent. Some of the most common occupations that may increase your risk for developing varicose veins include:

Hair Stylists
Hair Stylists are known to be on their feet all day in a stationary position, which means their veins have to work harder to pump the blood back up to the heart. After years of doing so, the valves in the veins become less efficient, causing the blood to pool and create varicosities.

Nurses
Nurses are also known to typically have busy shifts that require them to be on their feet the majority of the time. On top of that, their job usually requires longer shifts than most. The combination of the two leads to added stress on their veins.

Teachers
The majority of a teacher’s day is spent giving lectures on their feet in front of a class and the rest of their day is spent sitting down to grade papers or create lesson plans. The substantial amount of time spent in both scenarios makes them very prone to vascular problems.

Desk Jobs
Any job that requires being at a desk all day also means prolonged periods of sitting. If possible, anyone with a desk job should try to get up and move around once every hour to promote circulation. Without the pumping of the leg muscles, vein valves get no assistance to move blood, leading to excess stress and varicosities.

Truck Drivers
Truck drivers typically have long shifts that tend to require prolonged periods of sitting behind the wheel with limited mobility. This ultimately decreases the blood circulation in the legs and feet, increasing the risk of developing varicose and spider veins.

Prevention and Treatment of Varicose and Spider Veins
These are not the only jobs that can put you at risk for developing varicose and spider veins. If your job requires long, stationary periods of time, there are ways that you can reduce your risk of developing varicose and spider veins.

Wear Compression Stockings
Compression stockings work by exerting pressure on your veins, helping them to move the blood up towards your heart. Think of them as added support throughout the day. If you are already experiencing symptoms of venous insufficiency, compression stockings will also help to relieve some of the swelling and pain.

Exercise Regularly
Whether it’s walking. jogging, cycling–do whatever it takes to keep your body moving! This will promote healthy circulation.

Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight can add additional pressure on your veins, making them work even harder to pump blood throughout your body. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise in order to keep vascular function optimal.

Elevate Your Legs
When you get home from work, try to elevate your legs. This will help the blood flow back to the heart easier without putting additional strain on your veins.

Nutritional Support
Help promote vein health through the use of dietary supplements, such as Diosmin. These flavonoids help to support normal, healthy venous function in patients who are experiencing symptoms of varicose and spider veins.

Without a healthy set of veins, your body cannot operate at its best, therefore it is extremely important to seek treatment. At Chuback Medical Group, we provide complete and thorough diagnostic testing. With venous ultrasound we can determine the extent of venous insufficiency and the necessary series of treatments you will need. In our state-of-the-art facility, we offer several minimally invasive procedures that will treat your venous insufficiency without interfering with your everyday lifestyle. It is our goal to improve the health of your legs and enable you to return to your line of work vein worry-free!

This article was originally published as a blog post on Chuback Medical Group's website.

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