I understand that I should't be working out my legs (squats, etc.), but how would working my upper body have any affect on the success of the endovenous laser ablation? Does it have anything to do with increased heart rate, thus increased blood flow?
Patients are often asked to refrain from strenuous exercise due to the increase in abdominal pressure which, in turn, forces blood into the leg veins. This can boost the potential for having treated veins reopen if blood is forced back in too soon after treatment.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
No, it does not have anything to do with things you mentioned; however, straining does. When you lift a heavy weight you strain, which puts pressure against the valves of the upper leg and at the junction where the vein is closed. This can cause the closed vein to reopen.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Before I answer the question I have to explain what endovenous laser treatment does to the vein. EVLT seals the vein, while compression stockings not only act as support to keep the vein close but also act like a suture. The first couple of weeks after the procedure we don't recommend heavy lifting because by lifting, the abdominal pressure increases and places pressure on the sealed vein which might cause re-opening or partial opening. But I always recommend stretching exercises and also biking, walking and mild to moderate activities and not heavy lifting. I hope this helps you.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Lifting often involves closed glottis breath holding called a Valsalva maneuver. This can force blood into the leg veins. Our intention to give the vein a rest post-procedure is good common sense, but I know of no trials proving this.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Any effort used during heavy weight lifting (be it the lower or upper body) can blow open the vein after a laser closure.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Abdominal pressure will increase during weight training and can potentially put pressure on the laser-sealed vein, causing it to re-open.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You should avoid anything that engages the core muscles because doing such can transmit pressure onto the closed veins. Upper body work would be okay as long as it isn't too heavy.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Straining increases venous pressure and can force open the treated vein.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The feeling is that by straining you can increase intraabdominal pressure, which could possibly cause pressure in the closed veins and force them to reopen after closure. Quite honestly, I know this is commonly recommended, but I don't believe it. I have been doing closure procedures for over 14 years (thousands of procedures) and I have never seen this occur. I tell patients not to do squats for 5 days or jog for 5 days if they have had microphlebectomies, but otherwise they can resume all physical exercise as soon as they feel able to do it.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The concern is that if you lift something heavy, you will increase intra-abdominal pressure. This, in turn, may increase the pressure within the upper part of the treated saphenous vein and cause it to open up again. Realistically, this is probably not very likely. Still, the safest thing to do is to wait a few days to allow the treated vein to properly heal before lifting something heavy.
Published on Jul 11, 2012