People are being encouraged to take up walking this National Walking Month (May, 2025) by vein experts who say it can promote leg health.
According to expert surgeons at the award-winning Premier Veins, the lower limb movement of walking includes contraction of the calf muscle, helping blood to flow upwards and decreasing pressure on the veins.
Donald Adam, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Premier Veins on Tamworth Road in Sutton Coldfield, said: “We’re encouraging everyone, whether they suffer with varicose veins yet or not, to get walking this National Walking Month in a bid to help prevent them and promote healthier legs.
“For many, running seems like an obvious place to begin; however, any jarring movement will put additional pressure on the veins and may cause discomfort. A balance between low-impact activity, such as walking, and aerobic, circulation-boosting movement is the goal.”
Heredity, various health conditions, lifestyle factors or a combination of all three can contribute to the formation and worsening of varicose veins. And while a family tendency towards them is unavoidable, certain steps can be taken to minimise risk.
Varicose veins develop when the valves responsible for stopping blood from pooling due to gravity weaken. Instead of supporting the circulation of blood back up to the heart, blood pools within the vein, causing swelling and bulging of the vein walls.
Donald added: “Unfortunately walking cannot cure varicose veins, but exercise, in addition to other lifestyle habits, plays a huge part in preventing and slowing down the progression of varicose veins on both a local and systemic level. But, due to the structural changes in the development of varicose veins, only specialist clinical procedures can make promises of long-term relief from the condition.
“Thankfully, there are now a variety of non-surgical, cost-effective treatments available, and we offer the most effective of those treatments at Premier Veins. Incorporating a regular exercise routine into your life after a short recovery period will help minimise the risk of future varicose veins.”
National Walking Month takes place every May, providing the perfect opportunity to step into the great outdoors and embrace the joys of walking. Unlike some awareness days, this event remains fixed in the calendar, giving people ample time to plan their walking adventures each year.
Donald qualified from the University of Edinburgh and went on to gain extensive training in vascular and endovascular surgery in Edinburgh, Leicester and Adelaide, Australia.
He was appointed as Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon in Birmingham in 2004.
Donald has been awarded a doctorate in vascular research at the University of Edinburgh and is an author of several publications on varicose veins and leg ulcers.
Premier Veins is dedicated to transforming vein health and restoring confidence. Its expert team, with a strong foundation in the NHS and research, established Premier Veins in the Midlands in 2012 to deliver a superior level of personalised attention.
Its experienced consultant vascular specialists offer advanced, minimally invasive treatments that can help people regain confidence in their appearance.
After continued success in Birmingham (and Solihull), Premier Veins has expanded across the Midlands.
The company has received the Best for Varicose Vein Treatments - UK award by Global 100 for two consecutive years.
For more information on Premier Veins and its award-winning services, or to book a consultation, please visit www.premierveins.uk.