Varicose veins and exercise

Do varicose veins come back?

How long will I have to be off work for my varicose veins?

Question

I have a few varicose veins on my leg. Will exercise make them bigger or cause any other problems?

I use the gym regularly and am wondering if pounding my legs is bad for me. I am also concerned that they may be caused by the Pill.

Answer

I don't think exercise will make your varicose veins worse. Standing for long periods without exercise doesn't help, but exercise actually improves the circulation through your legs.

Blood goes into your legs via your arteries, and returns to the heart through your veins. Valves in the veins stop the blood going the wrong way.

Varicose veins occur when the valves don't work and the veins stretch and become prominent. I think exercise will only help, not hinder. Wearing some sort of support to your legs also helps the venous blood return from your legs.

It is difficult to be certain about the role of the Pill and varicose veins, but the literature does not mention specifically that they are made worse by the Pill.

There is a very small risk of deep vein thrombosis on the Pill, and this may be slightly increased in women with varicose veins. Your high level of activity, however, would ensure against this.

Yours sincerely

Dr Keith Barnard, GP

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