Varicose veins are the result of a vein’s inability to properly pump blood upwards through your body.  When a vein is unable to pump the blood upwards,  the blood pools in the lower leg which causes the veins to swell and ache.

Prolonged sitting or standing makes it harder for your body to maintain upward blood flow. When we walk the muscles in our calves give a good squeeze to the leg veins and help propel blood back to the heart. This muscle pumping action with walking accounts for 70% of the blood that leaves the legs. Without that pumping action from your calves, the blood stays down in your legs and pools. That’s what causes the swelling.

Good circulation is a must have for good vein health and walking is the perfect exercise to promote good vein health.

Walking is a low-impact activity that stretches and strengthens your calf muscles, thereby improving your blood flow.

Set a goal to walk 30 minutes a day, park a little further away when shopping, take a quick activity break if you’ve been sitting for too long – 20 steps is all it takes….

Perth has some amazing scenery… check out our top walking trails on the link below…

https://www.experienceperth.com/page/perths-top-walking-trails

Photo by Daniel Reche from Pexels