4 Reasons Your Legs Feel Heavy (and How You Can Get Relief)

Leg heaviness may feel like it’s weighing you down, making it hard to walk or more exhausting to do your daily tasks. It’s almost like you have bricks on your shoes…but what’s causing that sensation?

Several factors can make your legs feel heavy. Here are four that you should consider.

The Symptoms of Leg Heaviness

Leg heaviness symptoms include more than just a weighty feeling. You might also experience these symptoms at the same time as leg heaviness:¹

• Pain when moving
• Achiness
• Wounds or sores on the feet, toes, or legs
• Pain in your leg or foot when at rest
• One foot feels colder than the other
• Cramping in the legs

If you are experiencing these symptoms, consider reaching out to a vein care center. 

Why Do My Legs Feel Heavy?

There are several reasons you could be dealing with heavy legs. Here are four of the most common. 

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins happen for several reasons. In the early stages, improperly functioning venous valves allow for reverse blood flow.² This reversal leads to heavier pressure in the veins, inflammation, and weakened vessel walls. 

Varicose veins have six stages:³

1. Telangiectasies or reticular veins
2. Varicose veins
3. Edema
4. Skin changes
5. Healed venous ulcer
6. Active venous ulcer

Out of all the stages, the edema stage is most likely to make you feel like you have heavy legs due to retained fluids. 

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is caused by atherosclerosis or the buildup of plaque in the peripheral arteries.⁴ These are the arteries that take oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to other parts of your body.⁵

Lower extremity PAD can lead to muscle pain, lower extremity weakness,  leg heaviness, and possible limb loss

Training Too Hard

Intense strength training and extreme exercise routines can lead to heavy legs, as can running too hard, wearing poor footwear, or having poor form when exercising.⁶

It’s normal to have some tiredness in the legs after you have an intense workout session, but if you push past your limits, that heaviness could remain. Overtraining your muscles makes it so your muscles can’t repair themselves between workout sessions. The result? Weak, heavy, sluggish muscles.⁷

Restless Leg Syndrome

Shaky, numb, or jittery legs could be from restless leg syndrome.⁸ This condition can make it feel like your legs are heavy, too. 

The quick fix for this condition is movement, but if it persists, there are treatment options you can speak about with your healthcare provider. 

Venous disease can exacerbate restless leg symptoms

Leg Heaviness Doesn’t Have to Weigh You Down: Get Heavy Leg Relief

Leg heaviness can leave you feeling frustrated and worried about the potential for serious illnesses. 

If you’re dealing with leg heaviness, it’s important to find out why. At My Vein Treatment, we can help you find a vein specialist and get the answers you’re looking for.

SOURCES:

1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: “Peripheral Artery Disease Symptoms“
2. My Vein Treatment: “Varicose Veins Stages Explained: A Beginner’s Guide“
3. My Vein Treatment: “Varicose Veins Stages Explained: A Beginner’s Guide“
4. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: “What Is Peripheral Artery Disease?“
5. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: “What Is Peripheral Artery Disease?“
6. Medical News Today: “What causes heavy aching legs?“
7. Medical News Today: “What causes heavy aching legs?“
8. Medical News Today: “What causes heavy aching legs?“