Compression and Heart Health
Posted by kmills@thuasneusa.com BigCommerce on Feb 18th 2025
FEBRUARY 18, 2025
How Compression Can Improve Your Heart Health
Enhance your knowledge of heart health and compression. Find advice on compression therapy, and circulation. Learn how compression helps to improve vein health and reduce swelling.
February is American Heart Health Month. This national campaign is designed to raise awareness about heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.
Heart health and vein health are directly connected. The heart pumps blood throughout the body using a complex system of veins and arteries. Arteries deliver oxygenated blood around the body, while veins deliver deoxygenated blood back to the heart. If veins are not functioning properly, the heart can’t efficiently pump blood. The heart and veins work together and the health of one affects the health of the other.
How Compression Can Help
Wearing compression garments can be beneficial for improving or maintaining vein and heart health due to the general improvement in blood flow back to the heart. True gradient compression is greatest at the ankle and gradually decreases toward the top of the stocking.
Improved Circulation
Compression mimics the function of the calf muscles in that it squeezes the veins in the legs, pushing blood toward the heart and countering the effects of gravity.
Reduction in Swelling
An increase in blood flow helps to prevent the buildup of fluid in the legs, which is often a symptom of people with heart failure. In addition, the prevention of swelling, compression can also relieve and improve swelling.
Prevention of Blood Clots
Wearing compression stockings helps to prevent deep vein thrombosis, a dangerous condition when blood clots form in the deep veins of the lower legs. Compression keeps the blood flowing instead of pooling in the legs allowing blood clots to form.
Exercise
Regular exercise is crucial to maintaining good heart health. An additional benefit to wearing compression is a reduction in leg fatigue. With more endurance, you can exercise longer benefiting the heart.
Compression Fit
It’s important to be properly fitted when wearing compression. If compression is too tight it can restrict blood flow instead of enhancing it.
Maintaining good vein health and circulation is an effective way to contribute to your overall heart health. This is an important thing for all people to keep in mind throughout the year, including during Heart Health Month.
NOTE: Always consult a physician before beginning compression therapy.