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Top Professions with a Greater Risk Presenting Varicose Veins

Presenting Varicose Veins

Presenting Varicose Veins – Professions that have greater risks

Even though various factors may contribute to presenting varicose veins, studies show an effect from one’s profession or occupation.

These studies suggest that those who work in a standing position for four or more hours during a typical work shift report a higher incidence of venous deficiency. On the other hand, working in a profession that requires a person to sit all day may also increase the risk of varicose veins.

Incidences are significantly higher for jobs that require standing rather than sitting and are sometimes included in seventy percent or more of reported cases.

Case studies identify some professions at increased risk of varicose veins: nurses, teachers, professors, hotel workers, hospitality staff, hairdressers, police officers, factory workers, flight attendants, retail store clerks, office workers, drivers, and industrial workers.

One of the studies confirming these findings showed that the highest rate of varicose vein diagnoses among nurses were those who were also teachers.

The growing popularity of the standing desk for traditionally seated professions also concerns the risk of varicose veins. Even though there seem to be no formal studies on the standing desk, plenty of research indicates a link between standing for prolonged periods and an increased occurrence of venous disease.

Varicose veins result from malfunctioning valves lining the inner vein wall and a decrease in vein elasticity. Valve failure may cause blood to reverse flow or pool in one area. These veins tend to elongate, twist, bulge, and discolor once valvular efficiency is lost.

While prolonged standing is not a direct cause of varicose veins, it exacerbates pre-existing conditions.

Reduced muscle activity due to standing may induce venous stasis and disruption of regular blood circulation. In addition to the time spent standing during the day, the years of doing so are also a factor.

As mentioned above, standing for a long time may cause the veins to overwork and cause blood to collect in the leg veins, which increases the pressure in those veins and makes the valves feeble and inefficient, leading to varicose veins.

Nevertheless, sitting down for several hours rather than standing is not a solution. Prolonged sitting also causes blood to pool in the legs, which increases pressure in the veins and may lead to varicose veins.

Over time, the valves in the veins and the inner walls of these veins may weaken and lead to unsightly and painful varicose veins that are fibrous and often bulging. Early symptoms include leg pain, heaviness, and burning sensation, as well as discomfort usually relieved by sitting but increases when moving or standing.

Studies have identified many factors contributing to varicose veins, including occupation and profession, pregnancy, hormonal changes, abdominal and pelvic conditions, chronic constipation, and deep vein thrombosis. The overall cause of venous valve damage is likely to be multifactorial.

Next, we will see some standing and sitting jobs or careers that may increase your risk of presenting varicose veins and what measures you should take to reduce that risk.

Even if you do not spot your job listed below, you may find similarities between these types of employment and your job requirements. In other words, perhaps you also work in a position that requires prolonged standing, such as being a ticket collector or a dishwasher in a busy restaurant. If so, these risks also apply to you.

Education Employees

Teachers and professors may spend hours on their feet in classrooms, sitting down, grading papers, creating lesson plans, and preparing curricula. Unfortunately, both situations put teachers at risk for varicose veins.

Female teachers are more susceptible to varicose veins than male teachers due to pregnancy and fashion trends, such as wearing heels.

HOSPITALITY, BEAUTY, AND RETAIL WORKERS

A study found that professional hairdressers over forty-five years old who worked more than ten hours a day had a higher risk of varicose veins than younger ones who worked the same hours.

Similar jobs requiring constant standing included baggage checkers, store clerks, hotel workers, and retail clerks. Prolonged standing behind a cash register, inside a supermarket entrance, or behind a hotel counter may lead to varicose veins.

Medical Field Workers

Studies suggest that nurses are at increased risk for varicose veins, specifically ward nurses, because they spend many hours on their feet, often working shifts that last much longer than eight hours.

Physicians who perform prolonged surgeries are also at risk.

Office Or Technical Workers

Prolonged sitting also increases the likelihood of varicose veins. Office workers or those working in the computer field, especially in a busy office situation, may sit for hours. Some office workers do not even take a lunch break and find themselves eating at their desks.

Information Technology (IT) professionals who spend their time remotely accessing other equipment for repair or maintenance often find themselves in the same situation.

Transport Employees

Cab, Uber, and bus drivers doing long shifts behind the wheel are also at risk of varicose veins. Long-haul bus and truck drivers are especially at risk. This possibility happens because long-haul drivers frequently sit without a break for hours, sometimes more than ten continuous hours.

Flight Assistants And Stewardesses

Air travel of over four hours may be incredibly damaging to veins because passengers have to be in small spaces with little opportunity for movement. Flight attendants are also at risk of varicose veins because of the confinement to a small area several times over several years. In addition, to do their jobs, flight attendants walk around the cabin to attend to passengers, which increases the risk of varicose veins.

Measures For Reducing Risks Of Presenting Varicose Veins In The Workplace

If your profession involves prolonged sitting or standing periods, try to take a break occasionally. Your body needs to move. In any situation, quitting smoking, increasing exercise, and losing weight, may significantly reduce the risk of varicose veins.

Supportive stockings and low heels are better for leg veins than high heels if you are on your feet the whole day, and leg lifts or a brisk walk during your lunch hours may be beneficial if you spend long shifts sitting down at work.

No matter what your activities are during the day, taking the time to exercise and move your body at every opportunity will help to get the blood flowing in your legs. Additionally, it will encourage your veins to function optimally, which will help reduce the risk of varicose veins.

Do not panic or feel like you have to quit your job; there are several actions you can do to keep your blood pumping and prevent varicose veins:

  • Ensure to get enough exercise regularly, mainly jogging or walking.
  • Reduce the pressure on your veins by maintaining a healthy weight.
  • If possible, take frequent breaks. Do not send a letter to a printer close to your place of work; it is better if you send it to another floor and take the stairs to get it.
  • If you must stand, wear flat shoes instead of high heels.
  • Wear compression stockings to improve circulation and prevent blood from accumulating in leg veins.
  • When sitting down, change positions frequently and avoid crossing your legs.
  • Take a break from work and elevate your legs for a few minutes.

If you have other risk factors for varicose veins, such as family history, you should consider calling us to visit our experts at Modern Heart and Vascular Institute. We can give you other tips on how to keep your veins healthy while you work.

Varicose veins may cause pain, cramping, loss of function, and more severe health complications. If you or somebody you love is at risk of presenting varicose veins, we recommend consulting a healthcare provider or physician.

If you have doubts about varicose veins or want to be evaluated by one of our vascular specialists, do not hesitate to contact us.

At Modern Heart and Vascular, we are committed to placing our patients first and providing all the answers to your questions about heart health and heart conditions. We are accepting most major insurance companies, including Medicare. Some appointments are available.

We are Modern Heart and Vascular Institute, a diagnostic and preventative medicine cardiology practice. For more information, contact us.

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Modern Heart and Vascular, a preventive cardiology medical practice, has several offices around Houston. We have locations in Humble, Cleveland, The Woodlands, Katy, and Livingston.

We are Modern Heart and Vascular Institute, a diagnostic and preventative medicine cardiology practice.

Every heart has a story… What’s yours?

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At the Modern Heart and Vascular Institute, we offer state-of-the-art cardiovascular care with innovative diagnostic tools and compassionate patient care. Our priority at Modern Heart and Vascular Institute is prevention. We help patients lead healthier lives by avoiding unnecessary procedures and surgeries.

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This article does not provide medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you need cardiovascular care, please call us at 832-644-8930.

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