Lifestyle effects and other triggers

Many of us today live sedentary lifestyles or have jobs that involve long periods of sitting down or standing still, with little or no movement in the legs.

Prolonged sitting, such as in the car or at a desk, means our legs muscles and the important leg muscle pump are left idle. Standing still without moving also aggravates the effects of gravity on the legs. Both of these lifestyle factors can lead to increased tension in the leg veins and a consequent build up of fluid in the legs, causing discomfort.

Hairdressers, pharmacists, office workers, traffic wardens, taxi drivers, people who work or stay at home, the list of potential sufferers goes on.

Other factors than can affect leg vein health and trigger leg discomfort include:

• Tight clothing or crossing the legs, which restricts the blood flow in the lower legs
• Excessive heat, humidity or alcohol consumption, causing the veins to enlarge and more blood to pool in the legs
• Wearing high heels or shoes with rigid soles, which stop the muscle pump working properly