Does High Blood Pressure Cause Varicose Veins?
High blood pressure is a big deal, because your blood flows to every part of your body. Having high blood pressure has been linked to stroke, aneurysms, heart failure, heart attack, and chronic kidney disease. But an even stronger link exists between high blood pressure and the development of varicose veins.
Having high blood pressure means that the force of the blood pumping against your vein walls is too high. When the pressure becomes too much, the valves in your veins break, which causes the veins to bulge. To compensate for the newly developed varicose vein, your other veins will pick up the additional blood flow, however, this additional blood flow and stress puts those veins at a higher risk for breaking too.
If you struggle with high blood pressure, you are more susceptible to developing a varicose vein that could instigate the development of more. While high blood pressure is attributed to age, genetics, and chronic conditions, there are a few lifestyle changes you can implement to manage your blood pressure before it causes vein problems.
Stress
When you’re stressed, your blood pressure rises. The best way to deal with stress is through a healthy diet and physical activity. Unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking, drinking, or eating junk food can further increase blood pressure.
Sodium and Potassium Intake
Eating excess sodium causes your body to retain fluid, which increases blood pressure. Potassium is essential to balance the amount of sodium in your cells. Make sure your diet is rich in potassium to regulate fluid retention.
Physical Activity
The more you weigh, the more blood you need and the harder your veins must work to carry it. Moreover, if your weight is due to a sedentary lifestyle, you likely have a higher heart rate as well. This means your heart is working extra hard to pump your blood, which puts a lot of strain on your veins. Especially if you work at a job that requires you to sit or stand in one place all day, try to take breaks to walk to move frequently throughout the day to keep yourself active and your blood flowing.
It’s important to meet with a professional to determine the best course of treatment for your veins, especially when they are caused by a medical issue like high blood pressure. Stop searching “can varicose veins cause high blood pressure?” and schedule a consultation with Vein Care in Melbourne. Call us on 1300 568 676, or contact us online.
