How to Strengthen the Veins in Your Body

Strong muscles help you maintain a healthy body, but strong veins play a significant part too. Learn how to keep your veins (and blood circulation) strong.

More than 60,000 miles of blood vessels pump about 1,800 gallons of blood throughout your body daily. That’s a big job for your veins and arteries! While you've probably heard the benefits of keeping your muscles strong, it’s important to strengthen the veins in your body, too.

What happens when your veins lose strength

Taking your veins for granted is easy since they’re mostly invisible. The inside of your veins is lined with tiny valves that open and close tightly to prevent blood from backsliding into the vein. However, these valves can weaken, allowing blood to pool in the veins. And when your veins aren’t pumping blood as they should, you’ll notice uncomfortable signs of venous insufficiency, such as swollen veins, aching legs, and protruding varicose veins. It’s estimated about 1 in 20 adults are afflicted with venous insufficiency.

So what causes the valves to lose their strength? Risk factors include age, heredity, and hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause. Lifestyle also plays a significant role. For example, if you are overweight, you’re putting extra pressure on the veins. Your veins also work harder when you lead a sedentary lifestyle or sit or stand for an extended time.

While you can’t change your genes or age, you can make healthy lifestyle choices to strengthen the veins in your body.

Six ways to strengthen your veins

Even if you’re not currently experiencing varicose veins, you can strengthen your veins and prevent circulation complications by taking the following measures:

Elevate your legs. Blood tends to pool when you sit or stand for long periods. Elevate your legs above your heart for about 20 minutes daily to promote circulation. The raised position of your legs encourages blood to drain from the leg veins to the heart.

Exercise and eat healthily. An exercise routine combined with a healthy diet will shed those extra pounds that strain your veins. Walking is especially beneficial. When you walk, you engage your calf muscles to push blood through the veins. As for your diet, pick colorful foods packed with vitamins K, C, and E, such as strawberries, broccoli, and red peppers, to strengthen the vein walls.

Slip on compression stockings. The gentle pressure applied by compression stockings keeps blood moving through the leg veins. These tightly woven, elastic garments are recommended for those sitting at a desk for long hours or traveling on a long plane ride. Speak to your local Center for Vein Restoration clinic about how to order your perfect fit!

Quit cigarettes. The chemicals in tobacco thicken the blood and narrow the veins, making it much harder for blood to circulate.

Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water thins your blood, allowing blood to flow smoothly through your veins.

Consider surgical treatment. While lifestyle changes can reduce the symptoms of varicose veins, treatment for venous insufficiency is only the proven method to eliminate vein disease for good. Current varicose veins therapies are minimally invasive and require only a brief one-hour or less visit with a certified vein specialist.

Time to take care of your veins

It’s always a good time to take care of your veins. Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) has numerous locations nationwide, so start by making an appointment with your local CVR office. Our board-certified physicians have years of experience treating varicose veins and other vascular disorders. We’ll tailor treatment options to your unique needs and discuss lifestyle changes to strengthen your veins and improve your quality of life.

Contact your nearest CVR location today to schedule a consultation or speak to a representative. You may also schedule online at your convenience.