Veins and the Summer Heat

Veins and the Summer Heat

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Texas Vein & Wellness Institute

If there is one thing to know about Texas during August, it’s that the humidity is just about enough to do you in. If you have varicose veins and you have noticed that as the temperatures rise that your symptoms worsen or that your veins become a little bit more painful, then you are certainly not imagining things. No matter what time of year it is (even though summer is worse) if you expose yourself to a lot of excess heat, it will exacerbate your varicose veins. So, what can you do?

Try Swimming

Swimming in cool water won’t just help you feel refreshed, but it can help your varicose veins on a variety of levels as well. Not only is swimming a good cardiovascular exercise that will help circulate the blood through your veins, but the cold temperature may also help to ease some of your symptoms. Try swimming laps a few times a week and see if that can help you find some relief.

Try Cold Compresses

If you can’t seem to escape the hot Texan sun, then try placing some cold compresses on your legs; especially if you notice that you are experiencing a lot of swelling. If you can, also try to elevate your legs; the combination of the cold temperature with the elevation should help decrease the vein swelling and help you feel like yourself again.

Stay Indoors

Sometimes, the best suggestion we have for our varicose vein patients during the summer is to stay indoors as much as possible. Air conditioning may as well be your best friend, and your veins best friend during August and there is no point in exacerbating your symptoms just to get outside.