Can I wear high heels if I have varicose veins?

The legs are the most common site for varicose veins, and the main cause of varicose veins is related to blood stasis, so treatment can start from this aspect. Regarding the problem of varicose veins, in addition to conventional treatment, there are also many things to pay attention to in daily life. Some varicose vein patients still wear high heels during the onset of the disease. Can people with varicose veins wear high heels?

1. Can people with varicose veins wear high heels?

People with varicose veins cannot wear high heels. Because under normal circumstances, our calf muscles will contract and relax rhythmically when we walk. As mentioned above, when the heels are too high, the ankle joint will not have the range of swing for a long time, the calf muscle contraction ability will be affected, and the calf venous valve pumping function will be reduced. In addition, venous blood will remain in the veins of the lower limbs and even damage the venous valves. Blood backflow will cause venous congestion, which will in turn cause or even aggravate the problem of varicose veins.

2. High heels are also a cause of varicose veins

Because women wear high heels, the calf muscles are always in a tense state, which will cause the strength of this muscle to decrease over time. The calf muscles are also called the second heart. They can effectively squeeze the blood in the veins for venous return. However, if the calf muscles atrophy, their function and elasticity decrease, the effect of this muscle pump will decrease, causing the veins to relax and dilate. This further causes varicose veins. Therefore, foreign research shows that high heels over 3.5 cm are significantly correlated with varicose veins. Therefore, high heels below 3.5 cm can be worn appropriately, but those above 3.5 cm should be worn as little as possible.

3. Conditioning

Gentle exercises such as walking, swimming, and cycling can not only improve circulation but also reduce the rate at which new varicose veins form. In terms of diet, you should eat more high-fiber, low-fat foods and increase your intake of vitamin C and E. In daily life, you should control your weight, avoid taking birth control pills, avoid wearing tight clothing and high heels, cross your legs, and avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time.