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Avoid long periods of sitting or standing if you have varicose veins

Sitting or standing still for long periods of time puts added stress on the veins in your legs.

  • If you stand when working, try to sit down for a few minutes regularly (with your feet up). Some people use a small stool to prop up first one foot, then the other when standing at work.
  • Move around after sitting for a long time. If you have a desk job, get up and walk around for a minute every hour to let your legs pump blood back to your heart.
  • Stop for a brief walk every 30 to 45 minutes during long car trips.
  • During a long plane trip, get up and walk up and down the aisle every 30 to 45 minutes.
Author Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD
- Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer David A. Szalay, MD
- Vascular Surgery
Last Updated February 11, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: February 11, 2008
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