Are cyclists more likely to develop varicose veins?
This glorious May Bank Holiday heralded the annual Tour de Yorkshire, one of Britain’s premier road races. Over two million spectators came out to watch this now four-day event, many of whom may now be dreaming of getting out on the road.
In fact, as the weather heats up, what better way to start enjoying the warmer, sunnier weather than a bike ride? However, before you head out on a long journey, you may want to consider what it could do to your legs.
There’s a lot of factors which can contribute towards varicose veins, but one which isn’t widely known is exercise. There appears to be a link between certain types of exercise and the development of varicose veins. Interestingly, cycling is one of them. So, are cyclists more likely to develop varicose veins?
A scientific link between varicose veins and cycling yet to be established
Although varicose vein clinics do see a lot of patients who are keen cyclists, as of yet there is no scientific evidence to suggest cyclists have an increased risk. In fact, working out on a stationary exercise bike has been shown to be beneficial at the prevention of varicose veins. However, actual cycling is a little tougher on the legs.
So, although there isn’t scientific proof that cycling can increase the risk of varicose veins, there does seem to be a logical link there.
Exercise and varicose veins
It’s not just cycling which can trigger the development of varicose veins. There are a few exercise mistakes you could be making which could be increasing the risk.
Weightlifting, lunges, crunches and even prolonged yoga, can lead to venous disease. This is because the exercises place a lot of pressure on the legs. So, in the long term, this can lead to varicose veins. Ideally, you’ll want to stick to more gentle exercises on the body such as swimming, walking and riding a stationary bicycle.
Although there’s no proven link between cycling and an increased risk of developing varicose veins, cyclists may be more inclined to seek treatment because they have to reveal their legs in lycra. If you’re worried about varicose veins, book a consultation with us today and discover the best treatment options including the innovative VNUS Closure Procedure – most involve very little downtime, so you can be back on your bike in no time.