b'ADVERTORIAL FEATUREHEART EDITIONNEWSStrongerVaricose vs. Spider Veins: With AgeWhen to Treat and When to WatchAt 74, Lakeland Senior Who Set World RecordV Aparajita isMeet Our Doctor that ap- Proves Strength Has No Limitaricose veins are superficial veins Dr.a fellowship-trained vascular surgeon and has been pear knotty andunless painful, achy, or serving the Polk County community for the past 1 year. She earned inflamedmay not need to be treated. Var-her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree at icose vei y ofusuall dib She then comple re apparen fellowshi by SHAYLYNN MARKSUniversit nsDelhi, In y a.ecome mo ted a researcht with p in vascular surgery at Columbia University Medical Center in Newage and are the price humans pay for standing York and a residency in General Surgery at Staten Island University erect, as opposed to monkeys who walk on all Hospital in New York, she completed her fellowship training in VascularRITU APARAJITA, MD, RPVI W eighing in at 98 pounds and measuring 51, Lakeland senior Nancy four legs atSpider vei Israppear atnterandrfa Barnab f Surgery.NewarkBeth ns aelMedicalCe the su St.ce o as Medical Center in New Jersey.the skin and look like a spiders web. They areGeorges is not what youd expect. In fact, the 74-year-old is something Dr. Aparajita is also a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of painless and harmless unless their appearance Edinburgh, UK (MRCS Ed) and completed her Basic Surgical Training inof a local legend after she recently deadlifted 210.5 poundsmore concerns you.England soon after her medical school. KSC Cardiology than twice her own body weightsetting a world record in her age and Any adult who so-ands onore teir feet zenr most ofs, Dr. Aparajita is the ctauthor of m thhan two dofo journal article publicationsandoralpresentations,includingtopicssuchasweight division. Her success comes as a reminder that strength can be the day is at risk, and spider veins tend to run in families. Obese people endovascular treatment for thrombosis, aortic aneurysm repair, stroke,trained at any age.andwomenwithmultiplechildrenalsocommonlygetthem.With peripheral artery disease and other vascular conditions.varicose veins, poorly functioning valves allow blood to pool in the lowerFINDING STRENGTH AFTER RETIREMENTAdditional posts and volunteer work include a teaching position at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and as a Member of the Public and leg and cause symptoms. These include itching, swelling, burning, leg Professional Outreach Committee as well as the International RelationsGeorges, a retired Polk County elementary school teacher, didnt originally heaviness or tiredness, or skin discoloration. Symptoms typically worsen Committee at the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). join a gym with plans to compete. She started by following her husbands throughout the day. Sometimes, varicose veins clot and become painful, Dr.AparajitawasrecentlynominatedfortheAmericanMedicalencouragementtomovemore,thenfoundagroupclass,LesMills hot, sso ard, nnd discol ati red. wardthatrecognizesphysicians Ah ciatioa (AMA)Inspir o onAwho have contributed to the achievements of women in the medicalBODYPUMP.Managing the appearance of spider veins and varicose veins or preventing profession.them from getting worse is possible. A range of treatments can removeThats what kind of introduced me to weightlifting, she says. Thats a spider veins or reduce their appearance.RITU APARAJITA, MD, MRCS (Ed), MBBS really good beginner program.BELOW ARE A FEW TIPS FOR VEIN MANAGEMENT:Specialty: Vascular & Endovascular Surgery As lifting became more than a class, she transitioned to All American Gym Keep a healthy weight to reduce pressure on the veins.Joining KSC Cardiology November 9, 2020 in Lakeland, where her training was more closely focussed on strength.I just kind of got addicted to it, she says. Wear compression stockings to relieve symptoms such as aching or swelling. Not long after, her trainer encouraged her to look at the records for her Elevate the legs to help prevent blood from pooling. age groupincluding a 135-pound deadlift. Georges says she couldnt Keep moving and get regular exercise and remember to walk aroundhelp but laugh.every 30 minutes.MAKE A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT IF YOU HAVE THESEI was like, Oh my God, I can do that. SYMPTOMS:Large varicose veins in the thighs, legs, and/or ankles Swelling in legs or ankles lower legs and ankles, especially tight orIts soinspirationalto see somebody Skin changes around the darkening skin excellike she has. Ourelderly Leg cramps or spasmsPainful, open sores on ankles or legspopulation can do so muchbetterjust by BIO: Dr. Aparajita is a fellowship-trained vascular and endovascular surgeon. She is a co-author ofcontinuingtoexercise .20-plus journal articles and publications and was recently nominated for an Inspiration Award by the American Medical Association. Ken Snell, trainer, co-owner of All American GymThis column is sponsored by KSC Cardiology, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFHN or of its advertisers.10 | CFHN centralfloridahealthnews.com'