Because heat dilates the veins, many vein issues increase during the summertime. As the veins expand with higher temperatures, leaky veins can get even worse, leading to more pooling of blood in your legs and problems associated with it such as pain, tiredness, cramps, swelling, and clots. There is an increased chance of seeing new spider veins, pain, and symptoms. Here are tips to help you enjoy the warm season:

1 Stay Cool

Make sure you wear clothes that won’t trap heat. Always use sunblock (SPF 30 or above) not just on your legs, but also on your face and nose, where thinner skin is more prone to developing spider veins.

2 Take a Dive

In addition to offering great respite from the summer heat, swimming is one of the best ways to promote normal circulation in your legs. Swimming is a low-impact exercise that saves your joints from the pounding, yet increases your heart rate and improves circulation overall. Also, cooling exercises like swimming and brisk evening walks are best because the lower temperatures help prevent the blood vessels from dilating.

3 Stay Hydrated

Keeping your body properly hydrated will help it effectively circulate blood, heal injuries faster, and allow for healthier skin. Though it seems like a no-brainer, patients with vein problems should pay close attention to their hydration levels during the summer when the heat can easily dry anyone out. If you plan on being out of the A/C, plan to also bring a water bottle along. Avoid caffeine.

4 Avoid Heels

We recommend flats and sandals rather than high heels as they keep your calf muscles from effectively pumping blood out of the leg. Wearing lower heels makes your calves work a little harder, keeping blood pumping throughout your legs and back to your heart where it belongs.

5 Elevate Your Legs

Since veins in our legs have to work against gravity to send blood back to the heart, it helps them if you take periodic 15-minute breaks, elevating your legs above the level of your heart. This facilitates the flow of blood back to the heart and helps “empty” some of the blood pooled in your legs.

6 Calf Pumps

Our calf muscles play a very important role in helping “push” blood upwards towards the heart against gravity. Sitting or standing for prolonged periods renders the calf pump inactive. We recommend taking breaks to walk or stand on tiptoes for 10-second intervals throughout the day whenever possible. Brisk walking, bicycling, using a stepper, and swimming is some of the best ways to strengthen calf muscles.

7 Wear Compression Stockings

They may not be at the top of anyone’s list of hot summer fashions, but compression stockings put pressure on your legs which helps to move blood up and away from your lower legs. Though you may not want to wear them outside during July and August for fear of overheating, wearing them regularly may prevent blood from pooling in your legs, which can cause or worsen vein problems.

Varicose and spider veins have ruined too many summers. To keep them from ruining this one, schedule a free consultation and complimentary vein screening at Alsara Vein Clinic at 816-396-0245 to set up a Consultation today. Current treatments allow us to permanently treat affected veins with no downtime and you can be rid of your compression stockings within days of treatments. Many insurers, including Medicare, offer coverage.