Cardio for spider veins...?

onandoff

I know. Spider veins are there to stay, whenever/wherever they appear. But they are a result of bad circulation, right? If so, do cardio helps in this? Not to remove the existing ones, but to make sure no more spider veins appear in the future?
I'd love to hear oppinions about prevention of such a problem, from the ones that exercise regularly and for a long enough time to notice differences.

Lizzy622

I heard they were more from the way you sit or cross your legs. If your leg "falls asleep", it is a sign of bad circulation. I'm sure cadio and weight loss will help but being aware of posture may be more important.

FitCanuckChick

I have spider veins and a few vericose veins - they are genetic for me. They were jump started when I was pregnant. I was told by a specialist (cant remember the field, but I was referred to a specialist) that excercise and cardio combined with maintaining a healthy weight will keep them in check and significantly slow the process. That appointment was 4 years ago (when my "baby" was 1") - they haven't gotton any worse (v-veins or spiders). If you have v-veins you may notice after a workout they protrude a bit more, but that is the blood pumping and it will go down after an hour or so for me. I cardio exercise 5 or 6 times per week (hard, sweat your butt off cardio) ranging from 30 minutes to 90 minutes (if I go for a long run on the weekends). I average 45 minutes of hard cardio I would say. Since that appointment, I have lost over 100 lbs and the veins have remained the same.

There are many non-evasive treatments now for spider veins (such as lazer) - come a long way from "stripping the veins". This may be an option for you to look into - it was not an option for me. Due to a blood clot I had when I was younger I am in a "high risk" category. So, long story short - lazer is not an option for me (the specialist just said there are too many possible risk factors).

Personally, if I could do the lazer, I would have waited until I was at my goal weight and maintained it for 6 months to a year.

If you have any questions, let me know.

onandoff

Thanks so much for the info, both of you.
I think I'm gonna add more cardio on my workouts just for this alone. And I definately need to watch my posture as well cause I have a desk job, so that might be the cause for me.

FitCanuckChick

Thanks so much for the info, both of you.
I think I'm gonna add more cardio on my workouts just for this alone. And I definately need to watch my posture as well cause I have a desk job, so that might be the cause for me.

I too have a desk job. So I am always trying to add movement into my day - even a 10 minute walk on a coffee break can help. I am also trying to train my daughters to sit legs together without being crossed as I know these genes can run deep.

titianwasp

Yes, cardio - but also important, leg exercises (squats, etc..). Buld those muscles. If you can adjust your desk, spend some time sitting and some time standing. Take occasional walks (set yourself a timer to help remember). Also, though they are expensive, compression socks or compression hose help a LOT. They can genuinely prevent new ones if worn, well, pretty much all the time. :P

SoDamnHungry

I had varicose and spider veins. My doctor told me the best thing to do for them was work out. Also, not to stay still for too long, and that heels are awful for them.

dorothytd

I had a fairly big spider on the side of one leg - got it zapped. Took a few treatments, but they worked well and it made me feel better about wearing shorts and bathing suits. I have been very active since then (been about 4 years) and it hasn't come back. (Desk job, but exercise regularly.) It was not expensive and the cost encompassed as many "zapping" sessions as it took. (Ended up being 3-4.)

I guess the answer is always - work out!