15/10/2026
🦵 Your feet have a pump too!
Ever wondered how blood travels back up your legs towards your heart, especially when it’s working against gravity?
Your body has a helping hand: the foot and calf pumps.
👣 With each step, pressure changes in the sole of the foot may help squeeze blood from veins in the foot upwards.
💪 As you walk, your calf muscles contract and compress the deep veins, helping move blood towards the heart.
➡️ Small one-way valves inside the veins help stop blood flowing backwards between muscle contractions.
These systems work together. If vein valves don’t close properly, blood can flow backwards and build up pressure. Over time, this can cause veins to become enlarged and twisted — the raised, bulging veins we call varicose veins.
Small red, blue or purple spider veins are different. They sit closer to the skin’s surface and are usually harmless, although any symptoms or changes are worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
Some things can make varicose veins more likely, including family history, pregnancy, increasing age, spending a long time sitting or standing, being overweight, and a previous DVT. They’re common, and having them isn’t something to feel embarrassed about.
Regular walking and moving your ankles can help keep the leg muscles working. If your legs feel heavy or swollen, putting them up when you rest may help ease symptoms. These steps can help with comfort, but they don’t replace an assessment if you’re concerned.
📞 Speak to your GP if your veins are painful, itchy or getting worse, if you notice skin changes, or if you have a sore on your leg that hasn’t healed within two weeks. If a varicose vein bleeds, seek urgent advice from your GP or NHS 111.
