Treatment and Causes

Heavy legs can be more than just a minor discomfort; they might signal underlying vascular conditions that require expert care.

At Center for Vascular Medicine, we understand the importance of addressing these symptoms promptly and effectively. Our dedicated team of vascular specialists is here to provide compassionate care tailored to each patient's needs, ensuring you receive the best possible treatment and thorough care for heavy, uncomfortable legs.

Is Leg Heaviness Connected To Vascular Disease?

Heavy legs may be a symptom of vascular disease, affecting the circulatory system, particularly veins and arteries. Common causes of vascular disease include venous insufficiency and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). These conditions lead to poor blood circulation, resulting in discomfort and fatigue associated with heavy legs. If leg heaviness is due to a vascular condition, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications such as chronic pain, non-healing wounds, and blood clots. Consulting a vascular specialist at Center for Vascular Medicine can help determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment options.

What Are Symptoms of “Heavy Legs”?

"Heavy legs" is a term patients often use to describe a sensation of fatigue, discomfort, or sluggishness in the legs. This symptom can be associated with various underlying issues related to vascular health. Patients who experience a heavy feeling in the legs may also experience other symptoms related to vascular concerns.

• Aching or throbbing pain
• Fatigue or weakness
• Swelling (edema)
• Tightness or pressure
• Restlessness
• Cramping or spasms
• Heaviness or feeling sluggish
• Tingling or numbness
• Skin discoloration 
• Spider or varicose veins
• Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or other activities impact your daily activities and mobility.

These symptoms can be caused by various factors, including venous insufficiency, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), or other vascular conditions. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional, particularly a vascular specialist, for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

How do I Get Relief From Heavy Legs?

If you are experiencing heavy legs, there are several things you can do at home to alleviate the symptoms. You can take several steps at home to help relieve the symptoms of heavy legs. The most crucial steps are to be active, exercise, and lose weight if necessary. Additionally, you can elevate your legs and wear compression stockings. However, if symptoms persist or become bothersome, seek help from a medical professional.

Regular exercise improves blood circulation, helping to alleviate the sensation of heaviness in your legs. Activities like walking, swimming, or cycling are particularly beneficial.

Elevating your legs above heart level for 15-20 minutes daily can help reduce swelling and improve blood flow. It can also be a beneficial way to warm up or cool down from a workout or to relax and improve circulation after a long day on your feet.

Compression stockings can help patients find relief from heavy, aching legs. They apply pressure to the legs, aiding the veins in moving blood back toward the heart. They can be an effective tool in managing symptoms of heavy legs. Compression stockings aren’t suitable for everyone, so check with your Center for Vascular Medicine provider about their appropriate use.

A healthy diet and regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can pressure your veins, exacerbating symptoms. A balanced diet and regular exercise can help manage weight and improve overall vascular health.

While these at-home remedies can temporarily relieve aching legs, persistent or worsening symptoms should prompt a visit to a vascular specialist.

When Should I See a Specialist for Heavy Legs?

If your symptoms persist, seeking medical attention from a vascular specialist is essential. At Center for Vascular Medicine, we offer a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your heavy legs.

Our specialists will review your medical history to identify potential risk factors and previous conditions that could contribute to your symptoms. We'll take the time to listen to your concerns and understand the specific symptoms you're experiencing. Our team of vascular specialists may recommend an ultrasound or other imaging tests to assess blood flow in your arteries and veins, helping to pinpoint the cause of your heavy legs.

Treatment Options for Heavy Legs Caused by Vascular Disease

If your diagnosis reveals a vascular condition, our specialists will develop a personalized treatment plan to address your needs. Treatment options may include lifestyle modifications, compression therapy, medication, or procedures to improve your blood flow.

Your doctor may recommend increasing physical activity, adopting a healthier diet, and quitting smoking. These changes can significantly improve vascular health and reduce symptoms. Continuing the use of compression stockings can help manage venous insufficiency by improving blood flow and reducing leg swelling.

Depending on your condition, you may be prescribed medications to manage symptoms and prevent further complications. Common prescriptions include aspirin for PAD, cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins, and blood pressure medications.

Sometimes, minimally invasive procedures may be necessary to restore proper blood flow. These could include venoplasty and stent Placement, which are used to treat blockages in the vein; venoplasty rhinoplasty involves inflating a tiny balloon inside the vein to open it up, followed by placing a stent to keep it open.

Your doctor could also recommend an atherectomy or angioplasty to treat artery blockages. Atherectomy involves removing plaque from the artery walls, while angioplasty uses a balloon to widen the artery, often followed by stent placement.

What Could Be Causing My Heavy Legs?

Your legs could feel heavy, ache, or throb after a long day of activity, or you could spend a lot of time sitting, such as when traveling by car or airplane. Engaging in intense physical activity, such as running, walking long distances, or standing for extended periods, can lead to muscle fatigue and a feeling of heaviness in the legs.

Prolonged periods of inactivity, such as sitting at a desk all day, can cause muscles to become stiff and lead to a heavy feeling in the legs. Not drinking enough water can cause your muscles to feel tired and heavy, as dehydration affects the body's ability to function optimally.

Your leg discomfort could be caused by vascular issues. Talk to your vascular specialist or primary care provider about leg discomfort that keeps you from daily activities.

Superficial Venous Insufficiency (SVI)

This condition occurs when blood pools in the superficial veins of the legs, leading to increased venous pressure. Symptoms include heaviness, pain, swelling, and throbbing. SVI can often be managed with compression therapy and lifestyle changes.

Deep Venous Insufficiency (DVI)

Similar to SVI, DVI affects the deep veins of the legs. It can occur independently or alongside SVI, making it essential to seek a specialist's diagnosis to differentiate between them.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

PAD occurs when plaque buildup in the arteries restricts blood flow to the legs, leading to symptoms like heaviness, pain, and cramping during physical activity. PAD is a serious condition that requires prompt treatment to prevent complications such as heart attack or stroke.

How do I Manage Heavy Leg Symptoms?

With proper treatment, many patients with vascular-related heavy legs experience significant improvement in their symptoms. Vascular disease is often a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. At Center for Vascular Medicine, we are committed to providing long-term care and support to our patients, helping them maintain their vascular health and quality of life.

Patients with vascular disease should have regular check-ups to monitor their condition. This may include routine ultrasound studies and other tests to assess blood flow and detect changes early. Continuing with recommended lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and smoking cessation, is crucial for managing vascular disease and preventing the recurrence of symptoms. To manage your condition and prevent complications, long-term use of prescribed medications, such as antiplatelets or cholesterol-lowering drugs, may be necessary.

Ignoring symptoms of heavy legs can lead to severe complications. Untreated venous insufficiency can result in chronic swelling, skin discoloration, and an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). For patients with PAD, the risk of non-healing wounds, infections, and even amputation increases without proper treatment.

Working closely with your vascular specialist to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your symptoms and reduces the risk of complications is essential.

Vascular Leg Health Treatment at Center for Vascular Medicine

At Center for Vascular Medicine, we aim to provide patient-centered care, prioritizing comfort, safety, and overall well-being. Our experienced team of vascular specialists is dedicated to diagnosing and treating vascular diseases with the latest techniques and technologies. Book an appointment online or find a location near you.

Prognosis

In most cases, heavy legs caused by a vascular disease is a treatable condition. If you follow your doctor's treatment plan, your symptoms will likely improve and may go away altogether. If you have been diagnosed with vascular disease your doctor should monitor you on a regular basis. 

People with PAD are six times more likely to have a cardiac event or stroke and should seek a specialist.

Most people don't show signs or symptoms (asymptomatic) if they have a vascular disease

In some cases, people with vascular disease don't show signs or symptoms and if left untreated, the condition can progress and develop symptoms. If left untreated, symptoms typically worsen and treatment may be necessary.

Manage Heavy Legs after Treatment

After treatment, your doctor will continue to follow long term on a routine basis as vascular disease is a chronic disease process.  This may require routine ultrasound studies as well as additional tests.

In cases of PAD you will likely be asked to make some adjustments to your diet and lifestyle in order to prevent further recurrences of heavy legs. These changes may include the introduction of daily exercise, adopting a healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and high in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Your doctor may also make suggestions or prescribe medication such as long term use of aspirin or aspirin-like medications called antiplatelets.  You may also be recommended medications for controlling your blood pressure, glucose levels, and cholesterol if necessary. They will also tell you not to smoke, as smoking can significantly impact your treatment for PAD.

In cases of venous disease, you will be asked to continue the use of compression socks or stockings to help support venous health. Your doctor will also recommend routine exercise and alterations in diet to maintain a healthy weight.

Medications

Common medication to expect during the treatment period

If diagnosed with venous disease, you may be prescribed supplements such as Vasculera.

If you are diagnosed with PAD or a similar condition, you can expect to receive daily aspirin table along with cholesterol-lowering or high blood pressure medications. For instance, the most common cholesterol-lowering medications are called statins, such as Lipitor (Atorvastatin) and Crestor (Rosuvastatin calcium). Medications to control blood pressure are common and may include Lisinopril, Lotensin (benazepril), Capoten (captopril), and Vasotec (enalapril).

What happens if you don't treat chronic heavy legs?

Long term outcomes of untreated heavy legs depends on the underlying condition.

If caused by underlying venous disease, the symptoms may progress and worsen affecting the ability to continue to be fully active. Chronic symptoms associated with heavy legs, such as swelling and discoloration of the skin may become more difficult and less likely to reverse. Untreated venous disease may put you at higher risk of developing DVT or blood clots.

If caused by arterial disease, the symptoms may progress leading to open sores or ulcerations due to reduced blood flow. Untreated PAD can lead to increased risk of amputation.

It's crucial to work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan together.

What to expect when treating heavy legs with CVM?

The Center for Vascular Medicine (CVM) is dedicated to treatment of vascular diseases. CVM specializes in diagnosing and treating these "silent diseases". The doctors and staff with work together with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for each individual patient.  It is the goal of CVM to improve the quality of life for our patients and to prevent the long-term risk of heart disease, stroke, and amputation. 

At the Center for Vascular Medicine, our mission is to help patients with their vascular diseases in a cost-effective and compassionate manner. We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of venous and arterial diseases in the legs, feet, and pelvis. Our world-class providers are the most experienced in the specialty and work with patients to develop a treatment plan that is custom-tailored to their unique situation.

Typically, this process involves an initial consultation and ultrasound scan at one of our accredited facilities. After reviewing the results of your scan and obtaining a thorough medical history, our providers will discuss the results with you and help you decide on the next steps.

Our health care providers use several diagnostic tests to help determine what vascular diseases may be causing your symptoms. Our initial evaluations utilize ultrasound because this non-invasive imaging modality helps us verify our suspicions on whether your symptoms are caused by underlying vascular disease.

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