Vascular pathologies affect people of different age categories, including young people. Therefore, the question naturally arises: is it possible to exercise with varicose veins? Are there any limits to how dangerous the loads on the calf muscles are?
Sports are dangerous for varicose veins
The idea that you cannot exercise because you have vascular disease is wrong. There are subjects that have a beneficial effect on the condition of blood vessels. Moderate physical activity is indicated at different stages of the disease. Under the supervision of a doctor, they even deal with a complex form of pathology.
The question of whether it is possible to actively do sports with varicose veins can only be answered by a phlebologist. After analyzing all the data of a person's physical condition, the specialist will explain what subjects should be preferred and what should be avoided. Training helps:
- normalize lymph flow;
- strengthen the body;
- normalize blood circulation;
- strengthen the venous walls.
When choosing sports, they take into account that it is difficult to strain or relax a certain muscle group during an illness. Correctly selected discipline allows to normalize blood circulation. This leads to the improvement of the condition of the vessels, reduces the manifestations of pathology.
Recommendations for exercise with vascular diseases
In order to properly combine varicose veins and sports, it is important to consider the recommendations of experts. They will make efforts more productive and prevent complications.
Here are their recommendations:
- in a standing position, the greatest load occurs on the legs;
- the best option - "sitting" and "lying" classes;
- to train the heart muscle, rowing or a horizontal exercise bike is preferred;
- it is necessary to perform an elastic bandage of the legs in the class;
- the muscle group of the upper body is not limited in loads;
- drinking plenty of water is good for the blood.
No matter what sport a person chooses, the load on the calf muscles should be moderate.
Selection of loads
Despite the successful combination of fitness and varicose veins, it is necessary to choose sports loads taking into account the individual characteristics of the body. The disease leads to stagnation of blood, the formation of knots in the veins, twisting of the veins. Vigorous exercise can be harmful and lead to irreversible consequences.
Water
Sports activities are accompanied by strong sweating. It is necessary to replenish the fluid loss in the body. Because blood thickening is especially dangerous in vascular pathology. This leads to poor circulation, stagnation and the appearance of blood clots. Drinking plenty of water replenishes the water content in the tissue cells and makes the blood more fluid. As a result, the heart muscle and valves work with less stress, blood circulation in the vessels accelerates.
Appropriate clothing
Sports with varicose veins are best done in special clothes. There are special types of ammunition on sale designed to keep muscles in shape. They reduce the effort of the legs, they distribute the pressure on the calf muscles correctly.
Compression socks (socks, stockings, tights) not only help well in training, but are also suitable for everyday life. Regular use of overalls along with basic therapy restores the walls of blood vessels and accelerates healing.
What kind of sports should you do when you are sick?
Sports that are useful for varicose veins:
- Aqua aerobics and swimming.
- Cycling is good for strengthening the leg muscles because you need to work in a constant rhythm.
- Walking in comfortable shoes strengthens blood vessels.
- Golf. During the competition, athletes constantly move in fresh air, which has a beneficial effect on health.
What kinds of sports can be performed with vascular pathology will be discussed in more detail.
water sports
Recommended sport for varicose veins is swimming. Classes in warm water reduce the load on the vessels, tighten the muscles, strengthen the walls of the vessels. Water has a good effect on the veins. Even in difficult stages of varicose veins, classes in water are allowed.
Yoga
Yoga Pilates is allowed when you are sick. Such exercises are performed in a static position and are indicated for vascular diseases. During the lessons, it is necessary to observe the correct execution, control breathing.
Therefore, it is not desirable to practice yoga alone. An experienced master monitors the correct intake, helps to relax, moves the right muscles.
Allowed with restrictions
You can find out from a phlebologist what kind of sports you can do with restrictions for varicose veins. Experts advise:
- run at an intensity agreed with the doctor;
- fitness is useful in the initial stage of the disease;
- machines designed for exercising in a recumbent position;
- dance classes (except for the jumping elements) are good for the legs.
Run
In pathology, it is useful to run at a moderate speed. During the lessons, the heart beats faster, the muscles of the heart work more actively, blood circulates faster. The valves in the veins of the legs begin to work more intensively, congestion is eliminated. It is important to choose the right shoes for running - orthopedic insoles and comfortable sports shoes reduce the load on the calf muscles.
The duration and speed of running is determined by the attending physician based on the patient's health condition.
Walking
Walking for varicose veins is acceptable and available. Walking is done outdoors with comfortable shoes. It is best to wear compression clothing before hiking. The speed should be moderate, it can be replaced by short runs. Walking in place is indicated in the later stages of the disease.
Wrong exercises and load
Varicose veins in athletes appear when they engage in strength training, types that require an increased load on the legs when they refuse to wear overalls.
About jumps and squats
Be careful, jump and squat. Such exercises should not be applied in an advanced stage of the disease. At the early stage, movements are performed in a slow rhythm without reinforcements.
During classes, you should constantly monitor the condition of the veins. As soon as deterioration is detected, classes are stopped immediately. The patient should seek advice.
Squats can be performed as long as they are shallow.
Anaerobic load
Anaerobic activities involve physical exercise that causes a lack of oxygen. Strength training, working with kettlebells and barbells, powerlifting and bodybuilding, cycling, timed running are contraindicated for vascular pathology. In conditions of lack of oxygen in the body, the processes that help fill the lack of air are activated - the heart beats faster, the pressure rises. This situation is dangerous for problematic veins, because it causes thrombosis and bleeding.
Classes with anaerobic loads are allowed in the early stage of the disease under the following conditions:
- using compression garments or wrapping the legs with elastic bandages;
- reduced class time;
- drink a lot of water.
Sports equipment and varicose veins
After coordinating the load with a phlebologist, it is necessary to work on simulators with varicose veins. The main rule is the minimum load on the legs.
Strength training is suitable if it is carried out in the initial stage of the disease, in a horizontal position. This reduces the load on the legs, the load for the muscles of the upper body is chosen as desired.
A good alternative to running and cycling is to work on simulators. With varicose veins, you can't run or ride a bike. Modern models adjust the load, control the pulse, monitor the pressure, the condition of the calf muscles. An exercise bike with rear support makes the load on the leg muscles more gentle because the center of gravity is shifted to the rear.
Fitness and gymnastics
With varicose veins, classes with small physical strength are allowed according to the rules:
- wrap your legs with an elastic bandage or wear compression clothing during exercise;
- avoid shock loads, strength training;
- perform actions correctly;
- monitor the condition of blood vessels.
With the appearance of spider veins, a feeling of heaviness, you should immediately consult a phlebologist.
What to do after training
During sports, blood circulation accelerates, calf muscles are heated. You should give them rest immediately after training. It is best to lie on your back with your legs above body level. This will help to relax, move blood to the heart and restore breathing.
Contraindications for sports
Professional sports are contraindicated for patients suffering from varicose veins. This is especially true for people after surgery to remove veins or nodes.
You can't subject the body to heavy loads, you should avoid intensive running and cycling. Contraindications for sports - an advanced form of the disease: obvious swelling of the veins, the presence of nodules. Independent exercises can cause complications.
Prevention of varicose veins
Traditional medicine offers a wide range of methods to fight the disease. For example, St. John's wort and ginger root strengthen the immune system and help normalize blood circulation.
Prevention of varicose veins can be called smoking cessation, alcohol abuse. Staying in high heels for a long time, abusing hot baths and saunas has a bad effect on blood vessels.