Venous network of the legs: 5 things to know

2019-07-04 14:23:40

The veins conduct blood from the extremities to the heart. The arteries do the opposite.

How does blood travel from the feet to the heart?

With each step, the support of the foot on the ground stimulates the blood circulation upwards, towards the heart. By contracting, the thigh and calf muscles compress the veins and support this natural push-up motion. And principle, the blood can’t come down since inside each vein, small valves prevent it from flowing back down. The veins have an extensible wall which allows them to dilate, but more difficult to contract. This is also why, once a varicose vein is installed, it cannot regress.

Venous network of the legs: what is it made up of?

• THE deep veins pass into the muscle mass of the calf and the thigh. They drain 90% of the blood circulating in the legs. Their weak point? THE risk of phlebitis. If a blood clot blocks a vein in the deep network, it can break off, go into the bloodstream and block a pulmonary artery, causing an embolism.
  • THE superficial veins represent only 20% of the venous network of the legs. They are located under the skin and communicate with the deep network by so-called “perforating” veins. They drain 10% of the blood circulating in the legs. Their weak point? THE risk of varicose veins. When the vein wall is not toned enough, it expands and varicose veins appear. Varicose veins mainly affect the saphenous veins and their tributaries:
    – the great saphenous vein goes from the ankle to the groin passing by the internal face of the thigh;
    – the short saphenous vein extends from the ankle to the back of the knee through the calf.

Hormonal variations weaken the veins

before menstruationsome women see their legs swell and their venous problems get worse. THE female hormones,estrogen and progesterone act on the veins. “They dilate their caliber and slow blood flow, which can aggravate symptoms of venous insufficiency “, says Dr. Matthieu Josnin, vascular doctor.

In pregnant women, venous problems are almost inevitable because hormonal levels remain very high during pregnancy. Estrogens also have an action on blood coagulation which can promote the formation of a clot.

Thus, a woman who uses estrogen-progestogen contraception and who smokes increases the risk of severe venous disorders. This combined estrogen-progestogen pill and tobacco East strongly discouraged, especially following 35 years. In the event of venous disorders or a family history of phlebitis, it is better to opt for a progestogen pill or an IUD and, at menopause, consider hormonal treatment with caution.

The veins do not support the pressure well

All the forces acting on the veins make them suffer.

• In case of constipation, the pushing efforts exert pressure on the abdominal level which affects the veins. The solution: eat more fiber-rich foods and stay well hydrated.
• The muscular effort associated with carrying a heavy load intensifies this pressure. “High-level weightlifters necessarily have varicose veins,” observes Dr. Josnin. Some sports are more vein-friendly than others, such as walking or swimming.
• THE extra pounds weigh heavily on the legs. THE overweight women often have veins in poor condition.
• THE skinny jeans and tight are not recommended when you have fragile veins. They impede circulation in the lower limbs. This pressure is deleterious, unlike that of compression socks and stockings, medical devices designed to exert a decreasing pressure which activates venous return.
• The heels should be neither too high nor too low. When walking, the impact of the foot on the ground facilitates the rise of blood in the veins.

Dr. Josnin: With flat shoes, you reduce this phenomenon. With 10 cm high stiletto heels, you paralyze the foot. Ideal for the venous return : 2-3 centimeter heels.

Veins don’t like heat

The heat dilates the veins. In order not to weaken them (and avoid heavy legs), we favor thefresh water hot baths, hammam or sauna. Floor heaters are also not good friends for blood circulation. And in summer, avoid too much exposure to the sun, and don’t hesitate to splash cold water at the end of your shower, starting from the ankles to go up to the top of the legs.

Calf cramps : when should you worry? Cramps are common in cases of venous insufficiency. Do not worry if they occur punctually. On the other hand, persistent pain in the calf, swelling, a pinkish color, muscle pain when raising the foot or the absence of sloshing of the calf, should encourage you to consult a doctor quickly. A Doppler ultrasound will identify a vein blocked by a blood clot.

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