Heavy legs in summer

Do your legs feel heavy, tired and achy in summer? If they do, you’re not alone.

Heavy legs are common in hot weather, especially in women. But this unpleasant sensation can be linked to other health conditions too.

We explain why legs feel heavy in summer, what it means for your health and how you can relieve your symptoms.

Heavy legs caused by summer heat can be uncomfortable and stop you getting out and enjoying life, but they’ll usually improve when you cool down.

Blood pooling in the legs over a long period of time, however, can be the result of a chronic condition that causes heavy, aching legs whatever the weather.

Inside our veins are tiny one-way valves that open to let blood through, then close to prevent it flowing backwards. With the help of contractions in surrounding muscles, blood is circulated back to the heart and lungs.

Over time, the walls of the veins can stretch and lose their elasticity, causing the valves to weaken and blood to leak backwards and collect in the veins - a condition known as venous insufficiency.

In time, the damaged veins can take on the bumpy, knotted appearance of varicose veins, a condition estimated to affect at least one third of the UK population.

Varicose veins are more predominant in women, as research suggests that female hormones relax the vein walls - research suggests this is because female hormones tend to relax the vein walls, making the valves more prone to leaking.

Varicose veins could partly be caused by your genes, as the risk increases if a close family member has the condition. Other risk factors include ageing or being overweight or having a job that involves long periods of standing. 

Venous insufficiency and varicose veins often don’t require treatment but seek medical advice if they are causing pain or become sore and irritated.