Does Weightlifting Cause Varicose Veins?
After you lift weights, you may have noticed your veins bulging. But does weightlifting contribute to the development of varicose veins?
A lot of people assume that the rise in blood flow that happens while you are exercising leads to bulging veins. Fortunately, the increased blood pressure inside your veins won’t make your veins rise or bulge to your skin’s surface. When lifting weights, the veins bulge to the skin’s surface due to heightened plasma. That sharp spike in the plasma may cause the muscle mass to harden or swell.
Surprisingly, weightlifting can actually improve your body’s blood circulation. The chances of the blood pooling up in the veins will decrease when your body’s blood circulation is improved. The more oxygen that circulates throughout your body, the less likely you will suffer from muscle fatigue after your workout ends. Weightlifting can boost your metabolism, prevent injuries and increase bone strength.
If you plan to start weightlifting, or already incorporate weight lifting in your workout routine, here are some tips to consider:
Warm Up Beforehand
Warming up before beginning a workout helps avoid injury to the muscles and unnecessary strain to your vascular system.
Lift Lighter Weights
Heavier weights mean more strain on the vascular system, which means a higher risk of damage to lower leg veins. You can increase your reps while doing this to get just enough to tire your muscles and see results.
Exhale as You Lift
The way you breathe while weight lifting impacts your vein health. It is natural for many people to hold their breath while lifting weights, but this actually raises your blood pressure and the stress on your veins. Try exhaling while you lift the weight and inhaling as you bring it back down. This breathing causes movement in your abdomen, which assists the blood flow throughout your body and decreases the pressure in your lower leg veins.
Cool Down
After you have finished weight training, it is important to cool your body down so your blood circulation can return to normal levels in a safe manner. Reserve approximately 10 minutes at the end of your workout for your cool down, and use it to perform some gentle stretches and light cardiovascular exercise.
If you are already at risk for developing vein disease you should avoid doing regular workouts that involve heavy weights. Putting an increased demand on your muscles and veins by lifting heavy weights can stress the venous system and weaken the valves that keep the blood flowing properly.
Other workouts to consider include yoga, walking, elliptical training, cycling, mountain climbers and ankle rotations. It’s important to note that exercise does not get rid of varicose veins but it does assist in improving vein health.
It’s important to consult one of our vein specialists if you’re at risk of developing vein disease.
Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us to set up a consultation appointment.