What Makes Your Legs Feel Heavy? 7 Possible Causes of Leg Heaviness & Restless Leg Syndrome

What makes your legs feel heavy?

Do your legs feel heavy sometimes? Do they feel like they’re weighed down or that you can’t move them as freely as you’d like? Do you have swollen legs? There are a few possible explanations for why your legs might feel heavy. It could signify something minor, like dehydration or muscle fatigue. Or, it could be a symptom of a more serious condition, like peripheral artery disease (PAD), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Here are 7 possible causes of leg heaviness and restless leg syndrome.

#1. Dehydration

Dehydration can cause your legs to feel heavy and tired. When dehydrated, your body doesn’t have enough fluid to support its functions. This can lead to muscle weakness and cramping. If you think you might be dehydrated, drink plenty of fluids and see if your symptoms improve. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. You can also try drinking herbal teas or fruit juices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you further.

#2. Muscle Fatigue

Your leg muscles may tire if you’ve been standing or walking for long periods. This is especially true if you’re not used to exercising. Muscle fatigue can cause your legs to feel heavy, weak, and achy. To relieve muscle fatigue, rest your legs often. Elevate your legs above your heart to help reduce swelling. You can also massage your legs or take a warm bath.

#3. Restless Leg Syndrome

RLS is a condition that causes an irresistible urge to move the legs, often accompanied by a tingling or creeping sensation. This can occur at night and make it difficult to sleep. RLS is believed to be caused by an imbalance of dopamine in the brain, which can happen because of chronic venous insufficiency and can be aggravated by certain medications, pregnancy, and iron deficiency.

#4. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that occurs when plaque builds up in your arteries. This plaque can restrict blood flow to your legs and cause symptoms like leg heaviness, cramping, and fatigue. If you have PAD, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and exercising more. You may also need medication to improve blood flow or surgery to open blocked arteries.

#5. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. This clot can cause leg heaviness, pain, swelling, and cramping. DVT is a serious condition that requires treatment. You must see a doctor immediately if you think you have DVT. Your doctor may recommend taking blood thinners or undergoing surgery to remove the clot. Untreated DVT can be potentially fatal.

#6. Pregnancy

One common cause of heavy legs is pregnancy. This is due to the increased weight and pressure on the legs and pelvis. Pregnant women often experience swelling in the legs and feet (called “edema”), which can contribute to the sensation of heaviness.

#7. Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

Venous insufficiency is a condition that occurs when the valves in your veins don’t work properly. This can cause blood to pool in your legs, leading to leg heaviness and swelling. If you have venous insufficiency, your doctor may recommend wearing compression stockings that apply pressure to your legs and help improve blood flow.

You may have chronic venous insufficiency if your leg heaviness worsens at night or after long periods of sitting or standing still. Some other signs and symptoms of vein disease include leg cramps, restless leg syndrome, throbbing leg veins, leg swelling, spider veins, and varicose veins. The only way to treat chronic venous insufficiency is with minimally invasive vein treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation and venaseal, so you must contact a vein doctor.

Vein Treatment Clinic is a group of state-of-the-art medical centers specializing in minimally invasive vein treatments. Our vein treatment clinics are led by board-certified vein doctors who always diagnose and treat the root cause of your vein problems, not just the symptoms. You can find our vein treatment clinics in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, California, and Washington, DC. If you have leg heaviness and other symptoms of vein disease, please schedule an appointment at your nearest vein clinic today.

Are swollen legs a sign of heart problems?

Swollen legs could be a sign of heart problems. When the heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should, fluid can back up in the veins in the legs. This is called venous insufficiency, and it can cause the legs to swell. If you experience leg swelling, leg heaviness, and leg cramps, please schedule an appointment at your nearest vein treatment clinic.