5 Tips to Keep Healthy Veins as You Age

As you get older your body goes through a number of changes, and one of the most visible may be skin changes, varicose, spider and twisted veins. These bluish veins are a common occurrence in the population, particularly among women. However, there are a number of things that you can do to help keep healthy veins as you get older.

Keep Active

 The first thing you should do is make sure that you keep active each day. Particularly if you have a sedentary job or lifestyle, getting up and being active regularly throughout the day can make a big difference to your healthy veins.

The reason for this is that the veins have small valves inside them that stop the blood from pooling at your extremities. The valves push the blood back towards the heart, and when you are not moving the blood flow slows down and it starts to become harder for the valves to function. Over time this can put pressure on the valves and they can fail, causing the veins to bulge with excess blood and become varicose veins. Varicose veins are very common, and “as many as one out of every two people over the age of 50 are affected by varicose veins”. However, just because they are common it doesn’t mean you should just accept them. Preventative measures like being active can help.

Walking regularly and getting up from your seat can help to get your heart pumping and keep the valves working efficiently. Compression stockings can help to relieve pain and swelling if you have difficulty walking or feel pressure or pain when you are on your feet. There are a number of different types available, so you can be sure to find something that helps you. If you have a very active job or lifestyle where you are on your feet a lot, it can also help to take breaks to elevate your feet when possible.

Keep Hydrated

 Staying hydrated can also help to keep your veins in good shape as you get older. When you are well hydrated, your blood becomes slightly thinner and can more easily move throughout your body. This can allow the valves and veins to work without needing so much effort. Becoming dehydrated can cause your blood to thicken and may contribute to the formation of clots and varicose veins. Clots and deep vein thrombosis become more common as you age, so it is important to take preventative measures against clots forming like staying hydrated.

Eat Healthy

In addition, eating healthy foods, particularly those with lots of Vitamin C and Vitamin K can contribute to the functioning of your veins. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and also plays an important role in collagen formation. Collagen keeps the walls of your arteries and veins strong. Vitamin K is also vital, with a new study finding that inadequate amounts of a “vitamin K-dependent protein may contribute to the development of varicose veins.” Eating healthy food and staying hydrated are big factors in whether your veins will function well as you age.

Don’t Smoke

 Smoking has numerous negative consequences, but vein health and cardiovascular health as you age are vitally important, as a large number of deaths are caused by cardiovascular issues. Smoking can cause the veins to stiffen and narrow, as well as thickening the blood. This combination of factors can be fatal, putting huge amounts of pressure on low-functioning veins and contributing to clots. Some stiffening and narrowing as you age is normal, as this is simply part of how the vein changes as it gets older. However, take steps to ensure that you don’t contribute further to these changes, and quit smoking as soon as possible.

Get Treatment

 Finally, if the above tips are not working and you can already see that varicose veins are forming or that you are having cardiovascular issues, go to your doctor for assistance. There are a number of different treatments for varicose veins and other vein issues now available, and you will be able to find an approach that suits you, as many non-invasive options are possible.

All veins will change as you age, but vein stiffening, blood clotting, varicose veins, and other cardiovascular issues can be prevented if you take steps to lead a healthy lifestyle. Keep active and be sure to take breaks to elevate your legs, eat healthy, stay hydrated, and quit smoking if you are a smoker. Get treatment for vein issues as soon as you notice them, as this can be an essential step in preserving your health as you age.