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Venous disease is estimated to affect almost 40% of the Australian population. Often manifesting as varicose veins, it can also cause venous ulcers, bleeding and deep vein thrombosis, significantly impacting sufferers’ quality of life.ⁱ As prevention is always better than cure, it is important that healthcare professionals are sufficiently equipped to educate the general population on the risk factors involved and how to mitigate them.

Understanding the Lifestyle Risks

The biggest risk factors of vascular disease – and many other systemic health conditions – are easily modifiable by the individual. For example, obesity and reduced mobility are associated with lower calf muscle pump function and therefore venous outflow disorder, increasing the risk of venous leg ulcers.ⁱⁱ Regular alcohol consumption has also been associated with a higher incidence of varicose veins, with smoking likely contributing as a factor as well. The same study found that daily intake of meat might also reduce the risk of varicose veins.ⁱⁱⁱ 

Physical activity is also widely cited as contributing to venous health, although more research is needed to prove a direct correlation between exercise and improved venous health.^iv One study  found that athletes participating in more than eight hours of exercise per week for at least six months demonstrated a higher calibre of lower limb veins. This is, of course, much higher than the recommended two and a half to five hours of weekly activity recommended by the Government,^vi making it less applicable to the general population.

Interestingly, official figures^vii show that many Australian adults (over 18s) have multiple risk factors for stroke, heart and vascular disease. Approximately 29% of men and 34% of women present with two risk factors, while 37% of men and 32% of women have three. The most common of these are inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption (95%), physical inactivity (65%) and being overweight or obese (65%).

The Right Kind of Education
 
Health literacy is closely linked with health status and health-related quality of life. One study^viii of data from across four Australian states associated lower health literacy with a higher incidence of smoking, insufficient physical activity and reduced mental health. The same research highlighted the link between these and other risk factors such as being overweight, further exacerbating the risk to venous health.

As such, there is a demand for improved awareness about essential health information and guidelines among the general public. Healthcare professionals have an important role to play in educating patients on the risk factors involved with various systemic conditions, including those affecting venous health. The goal is to help people understand how their lifestyle actions impact their health and the simple steps they can take to reduce their risk of adverse events.

The Right Equipment 

When treating patients with venous disease, it’s important that healthcare professionals have access to appropriate equipment and products to support clinical care. Getz Healthcare offers a wide range of solutions intended to streamline venous procedures and support professional workflows. From compression garments to electrostimulation devices, sclerotherapy equipment and more, explore our full Venous Health Solutions range today.

ⁱ Liu G, Clarke JL, Mohan I. A snapshot of venous ultrasound examinations in Australia and New Zealand: Implications for diagnosis and management of chronic venous disease interventions. Ultrasound. 2022 Aug;30(3):236-245. doi: 10.1177/1742271X211046641. Epub 2021 Oct 17. PMID: 35936961; PMCID: PMC9354182.
ⁱⁱ Meulendijks AM, Franssen WMA, Schoonhoven L, Neumann HAM. A scoping review on Chronic Venous Disease and the development of a Venous Leg Ulcer: The role of obesity and mobility. J Tissue Viability. 2020 Aug;29(3):190-196. doi: 10.1016/j.jtv.2019.10.002. Epub 2019 Oct 9. PMID: 31668667.
ⁱⁱⁱ Ahti TM, Mäkivaara LA, Luukkaala T, Hakama M, Laurikka JO. Lifestyle factors and varicose veins: does cross-sectional design result in underestimate of the risk? Phlebology. 2010;25(4):201-206. doi:10.1258/phleb.2009.009031
^iv Turner, Benedict & Jasionowska, Sara & Machin, Matthew & Javed, Azfar & Gwozdz, Adam & Shalhoub, Joseph & Onida, Sarah & Davies, Alun. (2022). Systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise therapy for venous leg ulcer healing and recurrence. Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders. 11. 10.1016/j.jvsv.2022.09.003.
^v Béliard S, Ferreira D, Thomas H, Mourot L, Tordi N. High Physical Activity Volume Is Associated With an Increase in the Calibre of the Lower Limb Veins Without Impact on Functional Discomfort: the VARISPORT Study. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2023 Dec;66(6):856-863. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2023.08.003. Epub 2023 Aug 8. PMID: 37562761.
^vi Physical activity and exercise guidelines for all Australians. Australian Government. Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.health.gov.au/topics/physical-activity-and-exercise/physical-activity-and-exercise-guidelines-for-all-australians [Accessed January 2025]
^vii Heart, stroke and vascular disease: Australian facts. Australian Government. Australian Institue of Health and Welfare. Updated December 2024. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts/contents/risk-factors/multiple-risk-factors [Accessed January 2024]
^viii Jayasinghe, U.W., Harris, M.F., Parker, S.M. et al. The impact of health literacy and life style risk factors on health-related quality of life of Australian patients. Health Qual Life Outcomes 14, 68 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-016-0471-1
 

Disclaimer:
The content of this blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Healthcare professionals should always be consulted for personalised medical guidance before pursuing any diagnosis, treatment, or medical procedure.