Great question about weight lifting and varicose veins. There is weight lifting, power lifting and Body Building. All of these activities increase muscle mass some. Normal weight lifting up to a hundred pound or so as part of fitness or work does not appear to increase the risk of varicose veins. Power lifting very heavy weight 300 pounds or greater does put a lot of pressure on the veins in the pelvis and lower extremities and might increase the risk of varicose veins. Body Building so that your muscles become significantly hypertrophied can also increase the risk of varicose veins. This is a long way to say that your 15 pound weight lifting in my educated opinion is OK. Wishing you the best of health, Dr Wright.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

It depends on your age, weight, size, physical abilities, and so many other health considerations. Your physician would know you best, so follow his/her advice or seek another opinion in person.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No, there is no evidence to suggest that weight lifting causes varicose veins. Exercise is always good for circulation. If you have underlying venous insufficiency, the exercise may aggravate your condition but with treatment, you can resume your routine.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Weight lifting can increase the intrathoracic pressure, which can lead to pressure on the veins and result in vein dilation and new vein formation. However, this does not occur in everyone, so I would recommend that, if you enjoy weight lifting, then do it and deal with veins at a future time should they occur.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I have seen a few patients who developed varicose veins after heavy lifting but I think this is uncommon. Venous disease is primarily a hereditary condition. However, if you have venous reflux, particularly in the great saphenous vein, then weight lifting can aggravate it.

Published on Jul 11, 2012