Under the expert guidance of our Board Certified Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Mark Zuzga, our team of Vein Specialists & Vascular Experts are committed to delivering top-tier outpatient vascular & vein evaluation and treatment throughout the greater Tampa & West Florida surrounding areas. Should you find yourself dealing with leg pain, swelling, ulcers, discoloration, or the appearance of spider and varicose veins, we invite you to request a screening todayIs Sitting or Standing Better for Your Veins?
If too much sitting is bad for you, and too much standing is bad for you…what are you supposed to do? What else is there? Both prolonged sitting and standing can lead to the development of varicose veins. If a patient currently has varicose veins or would like to prevent the development of varicose veins in the future, it is suggested that a person find a balance between standing and sitting during the day.
According to a study done by the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana, people who sit for most of the day are 54 percent more likely to die of a heart attack. When a person is seated in one position for a long time, their leg and calf muscles are not being engaged. Usually, a person is in this scenario if they have an office job, driving job, or are traveling. The calf muscles play a crucial role in pumping the blood back to the heart. When a person is seated for a long time, the calf muscles have a hard time moving the blood to the heart in the veins. Prolonged sitting can cause the development of varicose veins, as well as blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)). If a person has to travel often or sit in one spot often, it’s best they engage their legs as much as they can throughout the day. He or she can go for short walks, stand in a meeting, take the stairs, or park farther away in the parking lot to get the benefits of interrupting sitting within the day.
Standing for more than two hours in a day isn’t good for a person, and can even be detrimental. When a person stands for a long period of time, stress is placed on the legs, hips, and pelvis. All of this pressure on these body parts weakens the vein walls and begins to damage the veins’ valves. This damage begins the development of varicose veins. To combat prolonged standing from a job or any other activity, it is suggested to add some stretching throughout the day, as well as trying to sit here and there.
Overall, the body does not like when there is the same kind of pressure or load placed on it continuously; the body is built for changed positions. Whether you’re sitting or standing a lot, it’s best for a person to give themselves routine breaks, so they will not develop venous issues or other health problems.
If you think you may be suffering from varicose veins or want to help your body not develop them, contact Dr. Zuzga of West Florida Vein Center. He can diagnose and treat your venous issue. To book an appointment, click here or call 727-712-3233.