DVT: What You Need to Know
Persistent swelling in your legs could be a sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which means a blood clot has developed in your leg. Here’s a quick overview of DVT and what to do if you notice the signs.
4 Reasons Your Legs Feel Heavy
As your largest limbs, you might notice the weight of your legs from time to time. That’s particularly true if you’ve been exerting them. If your legs feel heavy after a long run or a bunch of squats and lunges, for example, that’s perfectly normal.
If your legs feel weighty and you haven’t been working them hard, though, visit our team at Vascular & Interventional Associates in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. We can evaluate what’s going on in your legs to get to the root of that heaviness.
In a lot of cases, it comes from a blood flow problem. Fortunately, our vein and vascular specialists have extensive experience helping people throughout northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati, Ohio, area by diagnosing the cause of their heavy legs and effectively treating the problem.
Common reasons your legs feel heavy
These four health conditions can contribute to heavy legs:
Varicose veins
When you develop varicose veins, blood isn’t flowing through your legs as it should be. Instead of moving in one direction, blood pools in areas of the vein where the one-way valves have failed. This causes the veins to develop a thick, cordlike appearance you might be able to see.
The poor blood flow can also make your legs feel heavy.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
RLS might give you the nearly irresistible urge to move your legs, and your legs might feel heavy until you do. Along with that heaviness, you might also experience itchiness, aching, or other unwelcome sensations in your legs.
Chronic venous insufficiency
Another blood flow issue, chronic venous insufficiency means the valves in the veins in your legs aren’t working properly, resulting in poor circulation. This condition and varicose veins often go hand in hand.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
You’re diagnosed with PAD when plaque builds up in your arteries, inhibiting blood flow. If that buildup happens in the blood vessels in your legs, it can make them feel heavier.
What to do about heavy legs
Clearly, a lot could be going on in your legs if they’re feeling heavier than normal. Fortunately, we can help you find out how blood is flowing through your lower limbs. With a diagnostic vascular ultrasound, we can painlessly monitor your circulation.
Once we know what’s going on with your legs, we develop a treatment plan to alleviate the issue. For example, we can seal off varicose veins so your body can redirect blood flow to healthy veins.
To figure out why your legs feel heavy and get started on the path to relief, call Vascular & Interventional Associates or request an appointment online today.
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