Veins Versus Arteries & How To Keep Them Healthy

The human body contains three main types of blood vessels¹: veins, arteries, and capillaries. All three are part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout your body. To get an idea of just how extensive your network of blood vessels is, picture this: If you laid all the blood vessels in the average adult human body end-to-end, they would stretch about 100,000 miles. 

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels. At their narrowest point, they are thinner across than a human hair. Veins and arteries are much larger and consequently, they play a much bigger role in your health. Coronary artery disease, for example, increases the risk of heart attacks, while deep vein thrombosis increases the risk of pulmonary embolism. Other conditions, such as spider veins, aren’t symptomatic of any health condition.² However, spider veins and similar issues can still be distressing cosmetic problems.

By learning basic facts about veins and arteries, you can gain a better understanding of how they work and how to keep them healthy. Let’s start by learning the differences between veins and arteries.

What Are the Differences Between Veins and Arteries?

Arteries carry blood away from your heart and throughout the rest of your body. They are large and muscular, which allows them to withstand the pressure of your blood flow. They branch out into smaller, flexible vessels called arterioles. Most arteries carry highly oxygenated blood. The exception is pulmonary arteries,³ which carry oxygen-poor blood to the lungs so that your lungs can add oxygen back in. Interestingly, arteries do not contain very much blood. Only about 10-15% of your blood is contained in your arteries at any given time.

Veins carry blood back to your heart. They start as small vessels called venules that receive blood from the capillaries. Veins gradually increase in size as they get closer to your heart. Compared to arteries, veins have very thin vessel walls and low-pressure tolerance. Most of your blood (about 75%) is contained in your veins. Although most veins carry deoxygenated blood, pulmonary veins move oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left side of your heart. Veins exist throughout your body, which is why spider veins can appear in many different places.⁴

What Do Veins and Arteries Have in Common?

Both veins and arteries are composed of three layers. The inner layer is the tunica intima. The middle layer, called the media, is made of flexible fibers that help blood vessels expand and contract. The adventitia, which is the outermost layer, delivers oxygen and nutrients from your blood to your cells. It also removes waste and provides structural support.

As previously mentioned, both veins and arteries play a role in human health. In fact, there’s an entire branch of medical study, known as phlebology, which is devoted to the study and treatment of vein problems. A phlebologist⁵ can treat everything from varicose veins to vascular birthmarks.

Why Are Healthy Veins Important?

Because veins carry so much of your blood, any damage to them can cause damage to the rest of your body. Chronic venous disorders⁶ (a broad category of vein-related medical conditions) cause pain, inflammation, ulcers, and more. Vein disorders such as varicose veins don’t constitute a major health risk, but varicose veins can cause complications if left untreated.⁷

Luckily, you can take action to keep veins healthy and prevent unsightly venous conditions like varicose veins and spider veins.⁸

What Do Healthy Veins Look Like?

If you have particularly light or thin skin, you can probably see some of your veins. Healthy veins look like blue lines⁹ just under the surface of your skin. There’s a popular misconception that veins look blue because the low oxygen blood they contain is blue. However, blood is actually always red. Veins appear blue because blue light doesn’t penetrate as deep into your tissue as red light does,¹⁰ so when you look at veins close to the surface of your skin, your eyes only pick up the blue colors.

Healthy veins lie flat without twisting or bulging. They may bulge during exercise or stressful situations, but this is a temporary response to increased blood pressure. They should return to lying flat after the pressure goes back down.

Spider veins and varicose veins aren’t necessarily unhealthy, but they look very different from typical veins. Signs of varicose veins and spider veins¹¹ include changes to vein color and texture. Spider veins are red or bluish purple. They earned their name because they twist in a way that resembles a spiderweb. Varicose veins look blue or bluish purple, just like healthy veins, but they bulge dramatically. They often resemble thick, tangled blue cords.

How Should Patients Keep Their Veins and Arteries Healthy?

Exercise is great for all aspects of your health, including your veins and arteries. Sitting for too long can cause spider veins on your legs¹² because lack of movement impairs blood circulation. If you work at a sedentary job, you can prevent spider veins by stretching your legs or taking short walks. Try to make time in your daily life to work out. 

You can also keep your veins healthy by wearing gradient compression stockings. Gradient compression stockings¹³ are good for circulation and help move blood up to your heart.

What Should Patients Do if They Suspect a Problem?

Even with your best efforts, you will probably experience vein problems at some point in your life. Conditions like varicose veins are very common, especially among the elderly. If you want to know how to keep healthy veins, you can find the best vein specialist in your area¹⁴ with a simple online search. Vein doctors can answer your questions and offer suggestions for how to keep your veins healthy. The website My Vein Treatment¹⁵ is an excellent resource for learning more about vein health and treatments.

If you are concerned specifically about varicose veins, there’s good news: varicose veins are extremely treatable. Modern varicose vein removal methods¹⁶ are minimally invasive and largely painless. After treatment, you can resume most of your normal activities immediately.

Keep your veins and arteries healthy by learning about how your blood vessels work, exercising regularly, and seeking treatment when you need it.

SOURCES:

1. Cleveland Clinic: ” Blood Vessels“
2. My Vein Treatment: ” Can Spider Veins Be a Symptom of an Underlying Condition?“
3. Cleveland Clinic: ” Pulmonary Arteries“
4. My Vein Treatment: ” Where Are the Different Places You Can Get Spider Veins?“
5. My Vein Treatment: ” What is a Phlebologist, and What Do They Do?“
6. National Library of Medicine: ” Chronic Venous Disorders“
7. My Vein Treatment: ” What Happens If Varicose Veins Go Untreated?“
8. My Vein Treatment: ” Your Complete Guide to Spider Veins“
9. My Vein Treatment: ” The Color of Healthy Veins: A Quick & Easy Reference Guide“
10. Indianapolis Children’s Museum: ” Why do veins appear blue, but blood is red?“
11. My Vein Treatment: ” What Are the Signs of Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?“
12. My Vein Treatment: ” Can Sitting Cause Spider Veins on Legs? A Guide for Modern Life“
13. My Vein Treatment: ” What’s the Science Behind Compression Stockings?“
14. My Vein Treatment: ” How to Find the Best Vein Doctor Near Me: Key Tips and More“
15. My Vein Treatment: ” Home Page“16. My Vein Treatment: ” Varicose Vein Removal & Prognosis: 5 Things to Know“