Poor blood flow to the legs can cause a series of unpleasant symptoms and can lead to more serious complications such as leg ulcers and blood clots. An easy way to increase blood flow to the legs is by wearing compression stockings.
Compression stockings, when fitted by a medical professional, can be beneficial for a number of diseases that impact blood flow, including heart disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and deep vein thrombosis.
These stockings can also be used as a preventive measure in populations who are more likely to be at risk for damaged veins such as obese individuals, sedentary workers, and the elderly.
Below, we asked Muthu Velusamy, MD, FACC, ABVM, our expert at Cardiovascular Institute of America, to explain how compression stockings can improve blood flow, even in the absence of medications.
Veins and arteries play different roles in blood circulation. Arteries pump blood away from the heart, while veins pump blood back to the heart against gravity.
When the veins in your legs are damaged, you may experience the following symptoms:
Damaged veins in the legs have valves that don’t close properly, allowing blood to flow back to the veins instead of going up in the direction of the heart. These valves are impaired when veins expand in size or modify their shape.
Compression stockings can help by applying pressure on the vein walls, narrowing loose vein tissue and allowing valves to open and close as they should.
Compression socks are available in many colors, patterns, and sizes. However, it’s best to get one fitted by a professional, as compression socks that are too tight on the legs can accomplish the opposite of what you’re aiming for, causing poor blood flow.
Upon closely examining your legs, Dr. Velusamy can prescribe a type of compression stocking that suits your needs. There are many types of stockings that come in different lengths and vary in the amount of pressure they put on the leg. For example, someone at risk of deep thrombosis benefits from compression stockings that are firmer and apply more pressure on the veins than someone dealing with superficial spider veins.
If you have a job that involves sitting down for prolonged periods or are already experiencing symptoms of poor blood flow in your legs, contact us to schedule an appointment and find out if compression stockings are a good fit for your needs.
