Why Do My Legs Feel Heavy?

When you’ve been walking or working out a lot, your legs can feel heavy. Lifting each foot is hard, and your legs feel stiff and painful. Even walking a short distance takes a lot of effort. Almost everyone has experienced heaviness in the legs at some point.

However, if your legs feel heavy and tired all the time, you should pay attention. Heavy legs can be a symptom of underlying diseases, some of which can be dangerous. 

Heavy Legs Symptoms

Since heavy legs can have various underlying causes, you may experience other symptoms. Note all your symptoms and mention them when you schedule a consultation with your healthcare provider. This will help them make an accurate diagnosis. Some common symptoms accompanying heavy legs are:¹

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Cold feeling
• Throbbing pain
• Visible and bulging veins
• Swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs
• Difficulty standing or walking
• Skin discoloration

Causes of Heavy Legs 

Heavy legs are often caused by relatively benign factors like overexertion or starting an exercise program. They are commonly associated with conditions that are temporary (such as pregnancy), reversible (like obesity and hormonal imbalances during menopause), or inevitable (advancing age). However, heavy legs can also be an early indication of significant disorders.

Varicose veins: These bulging veins are often seen on the legs and ankles. In this condition, blood flow toward the heart slows down or even reverses, causing blood to pool in the legs. Poor blood circulation can cause heavy legs, swelling, cramping, and other symptoms.²

Chronic venous insufficiency: The veins in the legs have valves that keep the blood moving toward the heart. When these valves aren’t functioning well, it can lead to reduced blood flow and the accumulation of blood. Due to poor circulation, an individual can experience heaviness in the legs, tiredness, aching, pain, and difficulty walking. There may also be changes in the appearance of the skin on the legs.³ 

Overtraining syndrome (OTS): This condition is common among athletes who train excessively without enough time for rest and recovery. They may experience symptoms such as heavy legs and fatigue.⁴

Restless legs syndrome: This poorly understood condition causes a feeling of restlessness and heaviness in the legs unless the individual keeps moving them. Besides heavy legs, it can also lead to poor sleep, fatigue, and pain.⁵

Peripheral artery disease: A narrowing of the arteries reduces blood circulation, causing heavy and painful legs. It is often associated with high cholesterol and hypertension. 

Treatment for Heavy Legs

If you experience persistent feelings of heaviness, aches, or cramps in your legs, you should see your doctor. They can examine you and find the cause of your discomfort. Treatment for heaviness in legs will depend on the underlying cause. But you can alleviate some of your symptoms with these simple measures:⁶

• Elevation: Keeping your legs elevated can relieve and prevent unpleasant sensations.
• Movement: Avoid standing or sitting in the same position for long periods.
• Gradient compression stockings: They help blood flow back to the heart, preventing blood pooling in the legs.
• Physical activity: Do regular exercises, but take care not to overexert yourself. While exercise can relieve symptoms, overdoing it may worsen things. 
• Quit smoking: Smoking can affect blood circulation, so quitting may help alleviate some of the symptoms.
• Low sodium: Reduce your sodium intake to reduce swelling and discomfort in the legs.
• Lose weight: Shedding extra pounds can help lessen the pressure on the legs.

My Vein Treatment provides a wealth of information about vascular disorders. You can also use our physician locator to find a vein expert near you. 

SOURCES:

1. MedicalNewsToday:“What causes heavy aching legs?” 
2. MedicalNewsToday:“What causes heavy aching legs?”  
3. WebMD: “What is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?”  
4. Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation: “Is the feeling of heavy legs in overtrained athletes related to impaired hemorheology?”  
5. Mayo Clinic: “Restless legs syndrome.”
6. MedicalNewsToday:“What causes heavy aching legs?”