Wondering what makes your legs feel heavy and how you can fix it? We have the answer. Legs that feel heavy, stiff, tired or weighted can be caused by a few different things. Finding the cause will dictate the treatment. So what are the possible causes?

Varicose Veins

These enlarged, bumpy, or knotted veins often appear on the legs and feet. They are a result of weak or damaged valves in the vein. When the valves malfunction, blood pools in the legs instead of recirculating through the body. This can make the legs feel heavy and tired. Nearly 25% of adults in the US have varicose veins.

What causes varicose veins? There are several factors that can lead to developing varicose veins. These include:

• Obesity
• Genetics
• Age
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Jobs that require long periods of standing or sitting
• Menopause
• pregnancy

Peripheral Arterial Disease

PAD, or peripheral arterial disease, is a form of cardiovascular disease that occurs when fatty deposits build up in the artery walls. This narrows the walls and impedes circulation, making legs feel tired, crampy, and achy. While PAD can occur anywhere, it most often impacts the legs.

What causes PAD? The same things that cause fatty buildup in you rother arteries. This includes high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure. In fact, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institutes states that 8-12 million Americans have PAD.

What Makes Legs Feel Heavy?

People with heavy legs often describe them as tired, crampy, achy, or stiff. However, they may also appear swollen, bumpy, pale or bluish, and have sores that are slow to heal. All these issues are due to the poor circulation we mentioned above.

Seeking Help

Most people will experience heavy legs occasionally. Maybe you worked out too hard or sat for too long. This is typically nothing to be concerned about. So when should you seek help for heavy legs? If the symptoms are bothersome and the feeling occurs often, you should see a doctor.

If you are experiencing uncomfortable symptoms, it’s time to speak to your doctor. To learn more, please contact the Vein Center of Maryland today.