Should you elevate your legs above your heart while wearing compression stockings? - Chronic Venous Insufficiency Care Questions & Answers | VeinDirectory.org (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to elevate legs while wearing compression stockings? ›

Should I elevate my legs when wearing compression socks? Elevating your legs while wearing compression socks can help to reduce swelling in the legs, which can be particularly beneficial after surgery or for people with conditions such as varicose veins.

Treatment for chronic venous insufficiency

Elevation: Elevating the legs can help to instantly relieve pain. A doctor may also instruct a patient to elevate the legs above the heart three or four time a day for about 15 minutes at a time. This can help to reduce swelling.

Elevating your legs can reduce the amount of fluid in the tissues, thus lessening the swelling. Lowers blood pressure. Sitting or standing for long hours restricts circulation in the veins. The more blood accumulates, the higher the blood pressure in the veins.

How it Works. Elevating a limb, especially the legs, above the heart allows the blood to circulate back to the heart without fighting gravity. The heart still pumps blood to these extremities, but the stress on the heart is reduced. This helps to mitigate swelling and brings fresh and oxygenated blood to the limbs.

You may need to wear them all day. The stockings should feel tight around your legs. You will feel the most pressure around your ankles and less pressure higher up your legs.

Compression stockings can have some side effects, especially if you're not wearing them correctly or you're wearing the wrong size. The most common side effects include: Skin irritation, such as itchiness or feeling cold or warm. Redness.

Ensure that you maintain the position for only 5 to 10 minutes to prevent excessive strain on your heels, knees, or spine. For an added benefit throughout the day, rotate your feet and ankles to help with circulation.

Improving blood flow: Elevating your legs can help to improve blood flow and prevent or improve varicose veins by pushing the excess fluid back up towards your heart.

What are the benefits of raising your legs above your heart? ›

Some of the key benefits include improved blood flow, reduced inflammation, and lower pressure in the veins in your legs. You can use leg elevation to help ease symptoms from varicose veins and to reduce swelling during pregnancy. It may also be a helpful way to prevent blood clots after surgery.

What Is the Treatment For Poor Circulation In The Legs? Your first step in treating poor blood circulation is a visit to your vascular specialist. They may recommend an exercise and diet program and medication, but some patients see the most benefit from a vascular treatment such as angioplasty or bypass surgery.

Don't fold the top of the stocking down. You can protect your compression stockings from damage by wearing socks, slippers or shoes over them, and being careful not to snag toenails, fingernails or jewelry on the stockings. A tear or run likely means it needs to be replaced.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it's OK to wear compression socks while you are sleeping, preferably not the same pair you wear during the day.

Tips for wearing compression socks

Try to pull the compression sock all the way up, so that the compression is well dispersed across your feet and legs. Try not to let the sock bunch up in any certain place. Your compression socks should fit securely and tightly over your skin but should not be painful.