Take Advantage of the Great Outdoors to Improve Your Vascular Health

June's National Great Outdoors Month is a great time to throw on your favorite pair of walking shoes and head out for a nice long hike to explore all that nature has to offer. Celebrated by millions of outdoor enthusiasts all over the United States, National Great Outdoors Month highlights our country's diverse landscapes and provides us with a much-needed new lease on life—mentally and physically. This is especially true for those who generally do not engage in enough physical activity and are now looking for ways in their own communities to improve their vascular health. One-third of the global population over age 15 does not engage in enough physical activity. Simply put, we sit too much, whether at home or work. As a result, more than 20 million Americans lead sedentary lives and, as a result, have poor vascular health that ranges from spider veins to painful varicose veins and more debilitating conditions. Walking, hiking, bike riding—even for 30 minutes a day—is an underutilized way to stretch our legs, get the heart pumping and increase blood flow throughout our body and in the veins of our lower extremities.

Are You Dealing With These Symptoms of Poor Vascular Health?

• Painful varicose veins
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Vein thrombosis (blood clots)
• Venous insufficiency
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
• Peripheral Arterial Disease
• Skin leg and foot ulcers

Your vascular health will not improve on its own, and vascular conditions can get worse if left unchecked. Scheduling an appointment with a vascular specialist at StrideCare is one way to seek a variety of treatment options. While treatment may be necessary, exercise, avoiding smoking, and eating better are things you can do right now that have a larger impact than you think.

Is your vascular health not where it should be? Schedule a consultation with StrideCare's expert physicians. Our collaborative approach ensures you receive the care you need.

Outdoor Activity Options to Help Your Veins

National Great Outdoors Month has been celebrated annually since 1998. Former President Bill Clinton initially called it Great Outdoors Week, and the goal was to increase jobs and the country's Gross Domestic Product by getting people to enjoy and appreciate nature. Starting with President George Bush's administration and continuing through Barack Obama and Donald Trump's presidential terms, the idea was expanded to the entire month of June. In 2016, the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act was enacted to study America's outdoor recreation economy. The report stated that outdoor recreation contributed more than $412 billion to the economy, which is 2.2% of the total GDP. Unsurprisingly, it also created 4.5 million jobs and has led to the development of even more trails, parks, lakes, fresh landscapes, and the preservation of historical sites to attract more people to outdoor activities.

A few options to consider for outdoor activities in your area could include one of the following:

Austin

• River Place Canyon Trail — The River Place Limited District has three trails (Panther Hollow, Little Fern, and Canyon Trail). It is about six miles from beginning to end and includes many elevation scales along with the 2,763 steps one way on the three-mile section of the trail.
• Lady Bird Lake — Located just south of downtown Austin, this 10-mile stretch is also known as the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and is perfect for running, biking, and hiking trails.

Dallas-Fort Worth

• White Rock Lake — Located in Dallas, this area is popular for fishing, hiking, running, and road biking. It is open year-round and features a peaceful, family-friendly environment.
• Katy Trail — Located in downtown Dallas, the Katy Trail is a popular, shaded, paved trail perfect for rollerblading, walking, cycling, running, and more.
• Grapevine Lake — With a sprawling 8,000 acres, Lake Grapevine is the local epicenter for boating, water-skiing, windsurfing, fishing, camping, wilderness trails, and more.

Houston

• Armand Bayou Martyn and Karankawa Trails — This gorgeous area features five miles of hiking trails through a variety of ecosystems (prairie, forest, and bayou).
• Bay Area Park — Located southeast of downtown Houston, Bay Area Park is known for its unique wooded hiking trails and botanical gardens.

San Antonio

• Eisenhower Park — This 420-acre park has over six miles of trails connecting to picnic areas, playgrounds, campsites, and nature trails. There is also a new bike trail.
• Garner State Park — This popular park features 2.9 miles of the Frio River, winding through 1,774 acres of scenic Hill Country terrain. There is also plenty of room to hike, ride bikes, camp, and more.

Good vascular health is essential. If you have any concerns about your vascular health, schedule a consultation with StrideCare's expert physicians.

What Does This Have To Do With My Veins?

Veins are an elastic network of powerful vessels in the circulatory system that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Unlike arteries, which carry blood away from the heart, veins need to push blood against gravity and support many systems critical to your cardiovascular health and many other functions of blood. The bottom line is that our veins play a vital role in blood circulation and provide pathways for blood to travel through our bodies. However, as we age, sometimes our veins begin to not work as well. Remaining sedentary only makes it harder for our veins to function properly. When you are moving around and walking, blood flow is stimulated throughout your body and the veins in your lower extremities. The good news is that anyone can participate in National Great Outdoors Month. All you need to do is walk for 30 minutes—by yourself or with a friend, loved one, or pet—and then look for ways to add more walking into your weekly routine. According to the CDC, more than 145 million adults include walking as part of a physically active lifestyle. Moreover, the National Institutes of Health say that "step intensity"—the number of steps per minute—is not nearly as important as simply putting one foot in front of the other and focusing on more steps. Their study suggested that adults who took 8,000 or more steps a day had a reduced risk of death over the following decade than those who only walked 4,000 steps a day.

Walking regularly has numerous benefits for your vascular health, including helping you:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Burn calories
• Strengthen bones and muscles
• Improve endurance
• Boost energy and mood
• Decrease joint pain
• Prevent various conditions (heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, and vein disease)

Trust StrideCare With Your Vascular Health

It is important to recognize vascular health issues early and seek help from a medical professional who can guide you on your next steps. StrideCare has long been a leader in multi-specialty care for treating lower-extremity vascular and podiatric conditions. This includes our ability to perform leading-edge procedures to treat artery and vein disease and symptoms that, while minor in their earliest stages, can eventually lead to more severe and life-interrupting issues. The experts at StrideCare will recommend an individualized plan to help you get the best results. That plan could include recommendations for getting more exercise and movement into your daily routine. If National Great Outdoors Month taught us anything, it is that there are seemingly unlimited options for area lakes, hiking trails, bicycle paths, and more. All you have to do is choose the one closest to you and get active. Please contact us at 866-552-4866 or complete the appointment form to schedule a consultation. We are here to help, all while providing compassionate patient care.

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This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. StrideCare serves North Texas and South Texas communities, including Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, Brushy Creek, Cedar Park, Converse, Georgetown, Hutto, Kyle, Leander, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Pasadena, Pearland, Pflugerville, San Marcos, Schertz, Bay City, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, Dallas, Mesquite, Addison, Arlington, Plano, McKinney, Craig Ranch, Prosper, Flower Mound, Euless, Southlake, South Dallas, Sherman, Irving, Garland, Carrollton, Rowlett, Coppell, Forney, Rockwall, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Clear Lake, The Woodlands, Lake Jackson, San Antonio, Stone Oak,  and more. *Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.