Whether you already have varicose veins or leg pain, or whether you’re “good” for now, it’s never too early (or too late) to improve your blood circulation. When your blood vessels are healthy and your heart is strong, oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood reaches every organ and cell.
Instead of trying to manage multiple goals that don’t seem to be related, focus on circulation. When you aim toward better blood vessel and heart health, the habits you develop and the steps you make benefit your entire body.
Our vein expert, surgeon Jon-Cecil Walkes, MD, warns that poor circulation can lead to dire complications for cardiovascular health. He and our team at Texas Heart and Vein Multispecialty Group offer support and customized treatment plans at our Houston, Texas-area offices.
How can you make your circulation a priority in 2026? Adopt or reinforce these heart- and vessel-healthy practices.
Circulation begins in your heart. The best way to boost your blood’s running power is to start running, or walking, or biking. Cardiovascular exercise, stretching, and resistance training all make your heart work harder so that it gets stronger.
Don’t have the funds or time for a gym membership? Start your regimen at home via YouTube or app-based programs that encourage:
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends this weekly breakdown:
Check with us first to be sure you’re healthy enough for your proposed regimen. We may administer a stress test to determine your fitness level, customize a program to match your needs, and gradually increase your intensity.
Enough said. You already know you have to do this.
Smoking not only raises your cancer risk, but it also destroys your blood vessel walls, making it easy for plaques of cholesterol to accumulate and harden, thereby raising your risk for heart attack and stroke. If you have trouble quitting, we can refer you to a cessation program.
The message is everywhere now: Ultraprocessed foods (i.e., most of those that come in boxes and bags or via drive-through windows) increase inflammation and are low in nutrients and high in unneeded calories. Get creative with your daily menu by shopping for:
Take inspiration from various Mediterranean diets, other cultures that have heart-healthy meals (including Japan and the Nordic countries), and find new favorite foods to replace the old, unhealthy ones.
Alcohol is bad for your heart and raises your risk for cancer, so if you’ve been drinking a daily glass of red wine for health, now’s the time to stop. Replace alcohol, sugary or sweetened beverages such as sodas or sports drinks, and even fruit juice with healthier choices, such as:
Men should drink about 13 cups (i.e., three liters) of water and other healthy beverages throughout the day. Women should aim for nine cups (just over two liters). Add more if you sweat a lot, after working out or taking a sauna, or if you’re pregnant. Water helps keep your blood thin and flowing.
Varicose veins and even some spider veins can slow your circulation, due to faulty valves and other defects. Whether through lifestyle changes, sclerotherapy, laser therapy, or other means, getting rid of those faulty veins helps your blood move more swiftly and efficiently.
Are you ready to boost your circulation and your health? Contact us today for diagnostic testing to see if your heart and veins are healthy or for varicose vein treatment.
You may call us at our office nearest you or schedule an appointment online. We have two Houston offices and another in Kingwood that service Greater Heights, Pearland Market, League City, Lake Jackson, Manvel, Rosharen, Alvin, Fresno, Missouri City, Arcola, Friendswood, South Houston, Kingwood Market, Humble, New Chaney, Atasciacita, and Northeast Houston, Texas.
