Recently published medical research indicates that leg vein problems can adversely affect
the muscles of your legs perhaps with serious consequences for some.
In this video, I will briefly summarise and explain
the research.
Firstly, research published in the April 2016 issue of Phlebology looked at 23 people with
abnormal leg vein function and they compared them to a similar group of age-matched people
with healthy veins.
Vein function was measured by photoplethysmography which is a reliable clinical method of checking
the ability of the leg veins to efficiently carry blood out of the leg as a result of
muscle contraction.
Muscle strength was measured with a dynamometer.
The details of the methods are a little complicated but the results showed something quite extraordinary.
Poor leg vein function was associated with poor muscle strength, not only in the calf
but also in the thigh.
Furthermore, the worse the leg vein problem, the greater was the deterioration in the strength
of the calf muscles.
This interesting study is the first time an association between poor overall leg strength
and poor leg vein function has been demonstrated particularly for the muscles of the thigh.
Now this research is important in my opinion for several reasons.
Firstly, we know that weak leg muscles are associated with a greater risk of falls in
the elderly.
A Study published in the February 2016 issue of Rehabilitation Nursing looked at 52 nursing
home residents and confirmed a positive association between decreased leg muscle strength and
increased fall risk.
Secondly, we know from research published in the February 2016 issue of Gerontology
which I have covered in a previous video looking at over 100 identical twins that decreased
leg strength is associated with a decline in mental function 10 years later.
So in my opinion this latest research opens up 2 possible areas for further investigation.
Perhaps, leg strength exercises could improve leg vein function, reduce the risk of falls
and improve brain function.
Or perhaps it might work the other way round, may be treating leg vein problems may improve
muscle strength, reduce the risk of falls and increase brain function.
At present, these associations do not prove cause and effect and it may be many years
before the true nature of these associations is fully understood.
However the association does seem real and in the meantime it appears that anything we
can do to improve leg vein function and leg muscle strength may have profound positive
effects on our brain function, our risk of falls and risk of admission to hospital later
in life.
Well I hope you found this interesting.
My name is doctor Haroun Gajraj, thank you for watching.