The doctor warned about the danger of varicose veins in the heat

In pursuit of the beauty of the legs, it is easy to miss the first signs of a serious disease — varicose veins. It is important that not only those with a hereditary predisposition are at risk, but also overweight people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. As Sergey Tarabarin, MD, a leading surgeon at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), told Izvestia on May 15, heat creates additional stress on blood vessels, dilating them and slowing down blood flow.

"High temperatures themselves become a risk factor: heat causes vasodilation, which slows down the venous outflow of blood and provokes stagnation. This creates an additional burden on the venous system, especially for those who already have a predisposition to varicose veins," the doctor noted.

The specialist noted several key risk factors. In addition to heredity, hormonal changes are dangerous, including taking contraceptives or pregnancy, being overweight and sedentary. Even familiar everyday postures, such as sitting with your legs tucked up or standing in one place for a long time, can play a cruel joke.

"It is interesting that in Asian countries where people traditionally sit on the floor, the rate of varicose veins is lower than in those who adopted the European lifestyle with chairs and armchairs. Studies show that sitting with your legs down increases the risk of developing venous insufficiency by 3-4 times," Tarabarin noted.

To prevent the disease, the doctor recommends an integrated approach. Regular physical activity — hiking, swimming, yoga — helps activate the natural mechanism of venous outflow. Weight control and drinking habits are equally important, as dehydration makes the blood more viscous.

According to the expert, special attention should be paid to shoes. In summer, it is better to abandon heels higher than 4-5 cm and models that are too narrow. It is also useful to include foods rich in vitamin C, rutin, and antioxidants in the diet.: they strengthen the vascular walls.

Tarabarin warned against ignoring the first symptoms — heaviness in the legs, swelling, night cramps or the appearance of vascular asterisks. According to him, many women perceive these signs as natural fatigue, especially in the heat. However, they may indicate the initial stage of the disease.

Timely treatment with a phlebologist allows you to do conservative methods of treatment — special gymnastics, compression knitting and lifestyle correction.

Earlier, on April 11, Dmitry Stavtsev, a surgeon and phlebologist at SM Clinic, Ph.D., told Izvestia what the danger of vascular asterisks is. He added that the appearance or enlargement of vascular asterisks on the legs may indicate symptoms of varicose veins. However, only a phlebologist can tell for sure if there is a disease after an examination.