Does wearing high-heeled footwear cause varicose veins?

According to www.theveinclinic.com—they are usually hereditary; an effect of aging and lack of proper exercise; and a result of hormonal imbalance due to pregnancy and puberty.

However, he says that frequent use of stilletos with heels measuring above four centimeters may worsen an existing "venous insufficiency problem."

How? Because the person uses her calf muscles when walking.

"Since calf muscle pumping is responsible for emptying and pushing blood in the leg to the heart, wearing high heels will lead to more pooling of blood in the calf.

"This will distend the veins in the leg and thus lead to valve dysfunction and ultimately give rise to varicose veins."

At the Clinique cosmetics launch party held on January 19, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) asked some of our local stars's secret to varicose-free legs.

Beauty queen-turned-TV star Bianca Manalo said, "Every time I go home na, nire-raise ko iyong legs ko sa head board ng kama.

"Doon, nire-raise ko iyon hanggang sa makatulog na 'ko. Pag nakatulog na 'ko, saka ako lilipat ng tamang posisyon.

"Pero every time talaga na naka-heels ako, tinataas ko iyong legs ko para mag-flow daw ulit iyong dugo."

The same goes for model-host Joey Mead who said, "Before I go to bed, me and my husband [entrepreneur Ian King] would put our feet up."

Joey cited another ill effect of high heels:  It may trigger back pain.

According to foothealth.com, "The normal s-curve shape of the back acts as a shock absorber, reducing stress on the vertebrae. Wearing high heels causes lumbar (low-back) spine flattening and a posterior (backward) displacement of the head and thoracic (mid-back) spine.

"High heel shoes cause you to lean forward and the body's response to that is to decrease the forward curve of your lower back to help keep you in line. Poor alignment may lead to muscle overuse and back pain."