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.