Is skiing good or bad for your veins? Is there a chance it will speed up the development of new varicose veins?

I had varicose veins treated and removed from both my legs earlier this year. I have always enjoyed skiing but I wonder if its good or bad for veins and if should ski this winter? I read on various websites that because skiing puts a lot of pressure on legs/lower abdomen and because the feet are fixed, calves don't pump the blood up the legs and thus the activity can lead to the development of new varicose veins. Is there any truth to this?

Answers from doctors (2)


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Feb 29, 2016

Skiing is not on the list of causes of varicose veins.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Skiing is not on the list of causes of varicose veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Feb 29, 2016

Any exercise that increases intra-abdominal pressure can put pressure on the leg veins, leading to malfunctioning of the valves and ultimately varicose veins. This is the same concept for pregnancy causing an increase in varicose veins. These are concepts that make sense but there is really no proof that skiing will increase varicose veins. My feeling is that if you enjoy skiing then continue to do it.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1053_1499982262.jpg
Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Any exercise that increases intra-abdominal pressure can put pressure on the leg veins, leading to malfunctioning of the valves and ultimately varicose veins. This is the same concept for pregnancy causing an increase in varicose veins. These are concepts that make sense but there is really no proof that skiing will increase varicose veins. My feeling is that if you enjoy skiing then continue to do it.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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