Is long distance walking bad for varicose veins?

Can long distance walking on hard surface (street pavement, cement) cause or speed up the process of development of new or existing varicose veins? If yes, what is the alternative? Should I use compression stockings? Is running on hard surfaces detrimental to varicose veins?

Answers from doctors (8)


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Jul 21, 2015

Question 1 - No
Question 2 - Yes to compression hose
Question 3 - No it's not detrimental.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Question 1 - No
Question 2 - Yes to compression hose
Question 3 - No it's not detrimental.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Published on Jul 17, 2015

Leg swelling from any activity may exacerbate varicose veins discomfort. Compression stockings can help relieve the symptoms.

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Answered by Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Leg swelling from any activity may exacerbate varicose veins discomfort. Compression stockings can help relieve the symptoms.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Jul 16, 2015

You don't say if you already have varicose veins. If you are not genetically inclined to develop varicosities, you can't cause them to appear by walking or any other activity.

If you have varicose veins, walking is the best exercise for your condition and will not exacerbate your veins. However, running may possibly serve to aggravate your varicosities. Wearing compression stockings would be a good idea. In addition, either OTC Vensatat (horse chestnut seed extract) or prescription Vasculera could help keep any symptoms of venous insufficiency under better control.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

You don't say if you already have varicose veins. If you are not genetically inclined to develop varicosities, you can't cause them to appear by walking or any other activity.

If you have varicose veins, walking is the best exercise for your condition and will not exacerbate your veins. However, running may possibly serve to aggravate your varicosities. Wearing compression stockings would be a good idea. In addition, either OTC Vensatat (horse chestnut seed extract) or prescription Vasculera could help keep any symptoms of venous insufficiency under better control.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Coastal Vein Institute

Published on Jul 16, 2015

Anything that increases gravitational forces against the valves can aggravate varicose veins (prolonged standing, straining, pregnancy). Walking helps the veins drain by the muscular action of squeezing the blood back to the heart. Support stocking help by making the vein valves competent and functional.

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Answered by Coastal Vein Institute

Anything that increases gravitational forces against the valves can aggravate varicose veins (prolonged standing, straining, pregnancy). Walking helps the veins drain by the muscular action of squeezing the blood back to the heart. Support stocking help by making the vein valves competent and functional.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of New Mexico

Published on Jul 15, 2015

Yes, if your legs hurt as a result of walking or running. Most people say walking or running makes their legs feel better. This is because the musculo-venous pump (which returns venous blood in the legs to the heart) is activated by walking.....which is desirable. Compression stockings will certainly help if your veins disease becomes more symptomatic when you walk or run.

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Answered by Vein Center of New Mexico

Yes, if your legs hurt as a result of walking or running. Most people say walking or running makes their legs feel better. This is because the musculo-venous pump (which returns venous blood in the legs to the heart) is activated by walking.....which is desirable. Compression stockings will certainly help if your veins disease becomes more symptomatic when you walk or run.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Jul 15, 2015

Standing on hard surface without walking can / does slightly speed up varicose vein problems. Walking and Running get the calf muscles going and are thought to have a positive effect on varicose vein problems. Yes I recommend compression stocking. Asking a vein specialist if you should wear compression stocking is like asking a Cardiologist should you quit smoking: All vein specialist recommend compression stockings.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Standing on hard surface without walking can / does slightly speed up varicose vein problems. Walking and Running get the calf muscles going and are thought to have a positive effect on varicose vein problems. Yes I recommend compression stocking. Asking a vein specialist if you should wear compression stocking is like asking a Cardiologist should you quit smoking: All vein specialist recommend compression stockings.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jul 15, 2015

Walking is good for varicose veins because the calf muscle pump is being used thus increasing the venous return and reducing the venous pressure. Running, however, on hard surfaces increased the pressure on the venous valves which could be a factor leading to valvular insufficiency and venous reflux. Wear support hose when running.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Walking is good for varicose veins because the calf muscle pump is being used thus increasing the venous return and reducing the venous pressure. Running, however, on hard surfaces increased the pressure on the venous valves which could be a factor leading to valvular insufficiency and venous reflux. Wear support hose when running.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Georgia Vascular Institute

Published on Jul 15, 2015

It can cause exacerbation of the problem. However, the exercise would still be good for you. I would suggest using compression stockings when doing so.

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Answered by Georgia Vascular Institute

It can cause exacerbation of the problem. However, the exercise would still be good for you. I would suggest using compression stockings when doing so.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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