Pebble UK - Graduated Compression Support Hosiery Specialists for both Men & Women - Health Information
Blood flow
After blood is pumped out of the heart, your arteries will help push the blood around the rest of your body. Your arteries are thick with muscular fibres to enable them to force the blood out. Your veins will need to work extra hard as these will have to return the blood back to the heart and as veins are thinner than arteries with elastic fibres, they do this by the use of their valves. Valves work in a similar way to that of a set of double doors, opening to help push blood flow through and then closing to help balance the blood pressure. Valves work in conjunction with the body's muscle movement, thus, exercise is good for the circulatory system.
Problems occur in veins when there is either an obstruction of the blood flow or a disruption of blood flowing through the valves. If one valve does not function properly, blood flow will not continue smoothly through the vein and blood will build up behind the non-functioning valve. The burden of the excess build up of blood and the natural force of gravity is also added to the valves situated below the one that has failed. The result of which is an increase in blood pressure making the veins dilate, which, in turn causes the valves below the non-functioning one to become incompetent.
Normal valve (open)
Allows blood to flow in one direction only
Normal valve (closed)
Allows blood to flow in one direction only
Incompetent valve (open)
Blood under force of gravity distends the section of vein below it, causing further valves to fail
So looking after your blood circulatory system is a must. It was rumoured that certain tribes of South America were living a lot longer than their city dwelling counterparts due to the fact that they were constantly walking up and down the mountainous forests and hills which simply improved their blood circulation.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
It is the restriction of circulation, described above, that causes Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). A Thrombus is formed from a clotting agent (the same type that stops external bleeding) that builds up behind the incompetent valves in the veins.
Patients with DVT are at high risk for developing Pulmonary Emboli.
2000 deaths are attributed to Deep Vein Thrombosis every year in Britain alone. The significance should not be overlooked. Examples in the press have highlighted this problem in people who are not deemed to be in the higher risk categories, such as Emma Christofferson and British Olympic Sports Team Members.
There is a proven risk of poor circulation contributing to travel related incidents of DVT. DVT can be a killer if the symptoms are not recognised and dealt with soon enough. DVT may strike any time after taking a flight. You may not know you have a problem.
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