This is probably a stupid question but does crossing your legs lead to veracous veins?

Question

Sorry I am sure I spelled veracous wrong. Anyways thanks for answering!

Answer 1

Good blood circulation depends on our leg muscles squeezing oxygen-deficient blood through our veins. Those veins then funnel the blood back up to our hearts for a re-charge.

By crossing our legs, are we interrupting that circulation? Does squashing the muscles and crimping the blood flow invite varicose veins?

In a healthy vein, tiny valves propel blood one way — toward the heart. But in a varicose vein, valves and vein walls weaken. Blood flow becomes congested and the weakened vein walls become knobbly and discoloured

The single biggest contributing factor in varicose veins is genetics.

There's no evidence at all that crossing your legs will either cause varicose veins or make varicose veins worse once they start to develop," he says. "Cross your legs with impunity — it’s not going to cause varicose veins."


If you have varicose veins, here are the experts' top three tips for slowing their development:

1. Wear support stockings as often as you can during the day. They help push blood up towards the heart, preventing deterioration of weakened veins.

2. Put your feet up when you can; let gravity do some of the work.

3. Get plenty of exercise. It will keep your weight down and improve your muscle tone and circulation.

If you do have a history of varicose veins, you should take care to keep active and not become overweight and you'll have a better chance of keeping those veins at bay.

Fast facts

Women usually suffer worse varicose veins than men because they have babies. It's not the pressure of carrying the baby that's the problem; it's the female hormones that make smooth muscles in veins relax, soften, and weaken.

Answer 2

Apparently it does..

How can I prevent varicose and spider veins?

-- Avoid wearing tight-fitting undergarments and clothing that constricts the waist, groin or legs

-- Avoid crossing your legs while seated

-- Avoid sitting or standing in one position for a long time

-- Exercise regularly to increase circulation

-- Lose weight if you are overweight

-- Sit or lay down and elevate your legs at least twice a day for 30 minutes at a time


Crossing legs slows the upward flow of blood back to the heart and increases the pressure on the insides of the leg veins.

Answer 3

There's always two sides to the story and always conflicting philosophies, but the general rule is yes, it contributes. It creates blockages in the circulation whilst your legs are crossed, placing pressure on the veins which can, over time or if your susceptible, lead to an increase in vein definition or ultimately varicose veins.

Answer 4

No, it won't. But if you have peripheral arterial disease or poor leg circulation, you should not do this as it will further aggravate the poor circulation.

Answer 5

YEP!