“Women tell me they love how high heels make them feel taller and more beautiful and the way their legs look when they are in heels. While high heels may help you feel and look more beautiful, they may not be good for your vein health. The higher the heels, the more they negatively affect the venous blood flow,” says Dr. Kenneth Harper.
Over 25 million Americans have varicose vein disease. Though it is more common than heart and arterial (PAD) disease combined, it is underdiagnosed and undertreated. Many of these patients and their physicians are unaware they have a problem. That may be because the symptoms of vein disease are vague: heaviness, aching, swelling, tiredness, burning, stinging, and leg cramps. Some of the visible signs are obvious: unsightly spider veins, bulging varicose veins, and blood clots. Others are less so, such as leg swelling, skin changes, and ulcers.
Since vein problems get worse over time, it is important to engage in a healthy lifestyle and see a phlebologist if you have any of the signs or symptoms of vein disease. The phlebologists at Vein Specialists of the South recommend these Healthy Veins for Life™ principles:
