Love Exercising But Have Varicose Veins?

Medically reviewed by Tuan-Anh Vu, MD, on September 12, 2025

Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your body. Exercise helps your heart, strengthens muscles, boosts mood, and supports healthy blood flow. But what if you’re someone who loves to exercise and you’ve started noticing varicose veins? Many people worry that working out might worsen their vein health, or they’re unsure which activities are safest.

The good news? You don’t have to give up movement just because you have varicose veins. You can protect your vein health and keep enjoying the activities you love by applying the right knowledge and making a few simple adjustments. In this blog, Dr. Tuan-Anh Vu, MD, lead vein physician at Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) in Fair Oaks, VA, discusses why active people can still develop varicose veins, the early warning signs, how compression stockings can help, and when to seek treatment.

👉 Concerned about varicose veins interfering with your lifestyle? With over 120 vein clinics across the country, CVR is here to provide expert care and lasting relief. Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a Patient Services Representative or click below to schedule your appointment at the clinic nearest you.

📅 To schedule an appointment with Dr. Vu in Fair Oaks, VA, CLICK HERE.

📅To schedule an appointment at any of CVR’s 120+ vein clinics nationwide, CLICK HERE.

Why a Healthy Lifestyle Doesn’t Always Stop Varicose Veins

Seeing varicose veins appear when you work hard to stay healthy can be frustrating, but rest assured, it’s not uncommon. Exercise supports circulation, yet other factors can still play a role.

First, consider the way varicose veins form. Varicose veins happen when the tiny valves inside your veins, which keep blood flowing upward toward your heart, weaken or stop working properly. When this happens, blood can pool in the legs, creating enlarged, twisted veins.

While exercise does support circulation, other factors can still make you more likely to develop varicose veins, including:

• Genetics: If your parents had varicose veins, you may be more likely to get them too.
• Occupation: Jobs that require long hours of standing, such as teaching, nursing, or retail work, increase your risk.
• Pregnancy and hormones: Hormonal changes weaken vein walls and valves. During pregnancy, the blood volume in the body increases to support the growing baby, but this can also make the veins in the legs bigger.
• Age: Veins naturally lose elasticity as you get older.
• Injury or Surgery to the legs: Trauma can damage veins or impair circulation.

It’s surprising, but true: even the most dedicated runner or fitness enthusiast can experience varicose veins if the underlying risk factors are present.

Active and Noticing Vein Changes?

Varicose veins don’t appear overnight. In fact, many people notice subtle signs long before visible, swollen veins appear. If you’re active, paying attention to your body can help you catch vein problems early.

Look out for these common warning signs:

• Leg heaviness after workouts: A weighed-down feeling that lingers, especially later in the day.
• Aching or throbbing: Discomfort in your calves or thighs that doesn’t feel like typical post-workout soreness.
• Swelling around the ankles: Persistent swelling after a run or long walk may indicate blood is pooling.
• Itching or restless legs: An urge to keep moving or skin irritation around the veins.
• Visible spider veins or bulges: Red or blue clusters, or larger, bulging veins just under the skin.

Catching these symptoms early means you can take action before the veins worsen.

👉 Book your consultation with a CVR vein specialist today and discover how simple relief can be.

Compression Stockings and Vein Care: What’s the Connection?

If you’ve seen runners or athletes wearing compression socks, there’s a good reason for it. Compression therapy is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support your veins while staying active.

Here’s how they work: medical-grade compression stockings apply gentle, graduated pressure to your legs. According to Healthline, this tapered pressure helps your veins direct blood upward toward your heart, reducing pooling and improving circulation.

For people with varicose veins, wearing compression stockings during exercise can reduce swelling and heaviness, improve comfort and endurance, decrease post-workout soreness, and help slow the progression of vein disease.

Keep in mind that while not everyone needs medical-grade compression stockings, many patients find that even mild compression helps soothe symptoms and prevent discomfort. If you’re unsure about your compression needs, reach out to a CVR vein specialist for a personalized recommendation regarding the right type and fit for your lifestyle.

Do Active People Need a Vein Specialist? Here’s When to Go

It’s easy to brush off leg pain when you live an active lifestyle. Many people assume soreness and swelling are inevitable results of pushing themselves at the gym. But sometimes, these are signs your veins need medical attention.

You should see a vein specialist if:

• Your legs ache or swell regularly, even with rest and recovery.
• You notice visible varicose veins or clusters of spider veins.
• Compression stockings help, but symptoms return quickly without them.
• Your workouts are disrupted by ongoing discomfort.
• You have a family history of vein disease and are seeing early signs yourself.

Fortunately, modern vein treatments are fast and minimally invasive. Procedures such as endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, and sclerotherapy are performed in-office, require little to no downtime, and allow you to return to most activities rapidly.

Staying Active While Managing Varicose Veins

Having varicose veins doesn’t mean you need to stop moving. In fact, staying active is one of the best ways to promote circulation and prevent symptoms from worsening.

In addition to compression therapy, here are some other simple fitness tips for balancing exercise with vein care:

• Choose low-impact cardio: Walking, swimming, cycling, or using the elliptical keeps blood flowing without excessive strain.
• Incorporate calf strengthening: Moves such as calf raises improve the “muscle pump” that pushes blood upward.
• Stretch and cool down: Helps circulation and reduces stiffness after workouts.
• Elevate your legs: After activity, prop your legs up for 10 to 15 minutes to ease swelling.
• Stay hydrated: Good hydration supports vein health.

These adjustments may seem small, but they can make a remarkable difference in your comfort and performance.

Stay Active and Protect Your Veins with Support from CVR

If you’re passionate about fitness but struggling with varicose veins, you’re not alone. Many active people face this challenge, and it’s reassuring to know you can stay active while getting the professional care you need. You can protect your vein health without giving up the lifestyle you love by understanding why varicose veins develop, watching for early signs, using compression, and knowing when to seek treatment.

 ⛔ Don’t let leg pain slow your fitness routine! Schedule your consultation with CVR and explore safe, effective treatment options that fit your active life. Call 240-965-3915 or visit our SCHEDULING PORTAL to book a consultation at a CVR vein clinic near you.