To understand whether or not the Florida heat can cause varicose veins, Dr. Bragg and the staff at Orlando vein center, Florida Vein Care, want you to know a bit about what varicose veins are. Arteries pump oxygenated blood from the heart and distribute it throughout the body. The veins are responsible for returning the blood back to the heart to be re-oxygenated. This intricate system comprised of the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins is called the circulatory system.
There is a network of superficial veins that lay just underneath the surface of the skin. There is also a grid of deep veins, which are the heavy lifters, carrying the majority of the returning blood flow. All veins contain one-way valves which regulate the return of blood to the heart. The valves work as a stop-gap to keep gravity from pulling the blood flow backwards, and, as a result, our blood supply is regulated to ensure proper functioning of the circulatory system.
When the valve(s) in one or more of the superficial veins fail to work incorrectly, the blood flow returning to the heart is disturbed, and blood begins to pool within the vein. This is sometimes called a leaky valve. This pooling results in enlargement and distortion of the vein leading to swelling in the legs or arms, achiness, and discoloration of the skin. Left untreated, the vein can become extremely distended, thick, and almost knotty-like in appearance. This is a varicose vein.
There are many reasons that people develop varicose veins, (click here to read about the top four causes), and they do occur more frequently in women than in men. They may appear not only on the legs and ankles, but on the arms, on the face, etc. Those who enjoy active lifestyles and eat a well-balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight can still develop varicose veins. But does the Florida heat cause varicose veins? There is no direct correlation between heat and the development of varicose veins.
That being said, there is a direct correlation between the effects of heat on veins that are already damaged. Higher temperatures cause the veins to dilate and enlarge, which results in a larger volume of blood within their walls. While your body tries to get the blood flow closer to the skin’s surface to help cool you down, these varicose veins will appear larger and become more symptomatic. That’s why many people believe that the Florida heat “causes” varicose veins and seek treatment during the hot summer months.
Dr. Bragg and the medical team at Orlando vein care clinic, Florida Vein Care, are Central Florida’s leading specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins. Don’t wait until your symptoms get worse or for summer to kick into full force. Call us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards better vein health at 407-805-8989.
