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Everyone faces health challenges as they grow older, whether it is due to lifestyle habits, genetics, or unavoidable environmental factors. Heart health is one of the most important things to monitor as you age, as it affects several parts of your body.
For instance, as the heart becomes less effective, it can negatively impact blood flow, contributing to declining vein health. If you want to learn more about the impact of the heart on vein health, reach out to Dr. Pinsinski and the medical team at Artemis Vein Center.
The heart relies on veins and arteries to pump high-oxygen blood to the entire body. Therefore, your vein health is dependent on your heart.
Your heart rate naturally slows with age as your muscles weaken, resulting in decreased blood flow. Additionally, the walls of your heart may thicken, increasing the overall size of your heart. Though it may seem like a good thing, this change can result in your heart holding less blood and filling more slowly, further decreasing blood flow to your veins and arteries.
When blood flow decreases due to heart health, your veins and arteries undergo increases in pressure. If left untreated, these issues can lead to severe vein conditions.
When the heart weakens, there are several possible vein complications. Some of the most common issues include varicose veins, blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, superficial thrombophlebitis, and heart valve disease.
A weaker heart could result in significant blood buildup in the legs, leading to bulging, twisted veins visible beneath the skin. This condition is known as varicose veins. Though mild cases typically only have cosmetic effects, more serve varicose veins could lead to skin conditions, swelling, leg pain, muscle cramps, achiness, and heaviness in the legs.
Slower blood flow due to inadequate heart functioning may lead to blood clots, particularly in the feet and legs. Since blood clots block the veins and arteries, the condition could decrease blood flow and worsen associated medical issues further. In addition, if a blood clot breaks off and travels throughout the body, it may block essential blood flow to other areas, such as the heart, brain, and lungs.
When a blood clot is in a vein located deep within a body part, typically in the thighs and lower legs, it is considered deep vein thrombosis. For some, deep vein thrombosis may have no symptoms, but others could experience swelling and leg pain. If untreated, the blood clots could dislodge and travel to other essential organs and body parts, resulting in severe medical problems.
Blood clots may form on your skin in the areas of your legs with poor blood flow, causing pain, skin redness, and swelling. The condition, known as superficial thrombophlebitis, typically resolves on its own or with minor treatments but could worsen and develop into deep vein thrombosis in some cases.
When the heart muscles thicken and become less efficient, it could result in heart valve disease. This condition occurs when one or more heart valves do not function correctly. The condition reduces blood flow further and could cause vein diseases to form or worsen.
Blood flow decreases when your heart starts to slow down due to age, damage, medical conditions, or genetic disorders. This can negatively affect your blood flow and vein health. Considering the significant impact of the heart on vein health, you should schedule a consultation with Artemis Vein Center to discuss your medical concerns.
