Are achy legs normal?

If your legs occasionally ache, it could just be that your muscles are tired from a strenuous workout. But if that pain persists, it may be time to talk to your doctor.


When should I worry about achy legs?

See your doctor as soon as possible if you have:

A leg that is swollen, pale or unusually cool. Calf pain, particularly after prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride. Swelling in both legs along with breathing problems. Any serious leg symptoms that develop for no apparent reason.

What is achy legs a symptom of?

Most leg pain results from wear and tear, overuse, or injuries in joints or bones or in muscles, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine. Leg pain can also be caused by blood clots, varicose veins or poor circulation.


How do I stop my legs from aching?

If you have leg pain from cramps or overuse, take these steps first:
  1. Rest as much as possible.
  2. Elevate your leg.
  3. Apply ice for up to 15 minutes. ...
  4. Gently stretch and massage cramping muscles.
  5. Take over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.


How do you stop aching legs?

To help relieve muscle soreness, try:
  1. Gentle stretching.
  2. Muscle massage.
  3. Rest.
  4. Ice to help reduce inflammation.
  5. Heat to help increase blood flow to your muscles. ...
  6. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine, such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen (brand name: Advil).


11 Causes of Achy Legs



Does leg pain indicate heart problems?

Leg Pain Can Indicate Risk for a Heart Attack or Stroke

Peripheral artery disease that causes leg pain can be indicative of heart issues. People that have PAD are at a higher risk of having a stroke or heart attack. This could be a sign that the coronary arteries are blocked and the blood flow is reduced.

What do blocked arteries in legs feel like?

Claudication is a symptom of a narrowing or blockage of an artery. Typical symptoms of claudication include: Pain, a burning feeling, or a tired feeling in the legs and buttocks when you walk. Shiny, hairless, blotchy foot skin that may get sores.

Why do my legs ache at night when I lay down?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) can cause aching legs at night due to high pressure in the veins and stagnant venous blood from sitting or standing all day. Proper daily leg elevation can help relieve this pressure. Nervousness and restless leg syndrome usually result in legs that feel heavy, jittery, and shaky.


What is vascular leg pain like?

Vascular pain often feels like an uncomfortable heaviness or throbbing sensation. It can also feel like an aching sensation. It usually affects your legs and can be worse with walking or exerting yourself.

How do you know if you have vascular problems in your legs?

Coldness in legs, numbness of legs, tingling of legs, tingling when walking. Venous symptoms - These are symptoms that show the patient may have a venous issue. Restless legs, restless legs at night, visible varicose veins, leg swelling, feet swelling, and leg pain during exertion.

How can I improve blood circulation in my legs?

Here are 7 quick tips to improve blood circulation in the legs and feet:
  1. Walking. Walking is the simplest yet most effective exercise to help improve blood circulation in your legs. ...
  2. Stretching exercises. ...
  3. Different sitting positions. ...
  4. Compression stockings. ...
  5. Yoga. ...
  6. A massage. ...
  7. Sauna bath.


What vitamin is good for achy legs?

Therefore, it's important to eat foods rich in vitamin D including, sockeye salmon, egg yolk, canned tuna, swordfish, Swiss cheese, beef liver, yogurt, breakfast cereals, sardines, and margarine, especially when trying to prevent or resolve the feeling of heavy legs.

Why do my legs ache so much in bed?

Your veins are basically blood pumps. Varicose veins are the result of dilated pools of blood under pressure that ache at the end of the day. Elevating at night relieves the pressure of being upright. Legs will ache when getting into bed, but the pain and swelling are usually better by morning.

Can high blood pressure make your legs hurt?

High blood pressure can lead to peripheral arterial disease (PAD), where narrowing of the blood vessels restricts the blood flow to the legs and feet, causing pain.


What is the classic symptom of peripheral vascular disease?

The classic symptom of PAD is pain in the legs with physical activity, such as walking, that gets better after rest. However, up to 4 in 10 people with PAD have no leg pain. Symptoms of pain, aches, or cramps with walking (claudication) can happen in the buttock, hip, thigh, or calf.

How do you tell if your arteries are becoming clogged?

Dizziness or weakness. Heart palpitations, or sensations of your heart racing or fluttering. Nausea or sweating. Shortness of breath.
...
Your doctor may also use tests that look for signs of atherosclerosis, such as:
  1. A weak or absent pulse.
  2. A whooshing sound (bruit) in your artery.
  3. Low blood pressure in one of your arms or legs.


How long do achy legs last?

Usually your muscles will stop aching in 2 to 5 days and you won't need any medical attention. You should be able to ease symptoms yourself.


What are usually the first signs of fibromyalgia?

What are the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia?
  • Pain and stiffness all over the body.
  • Fatigue and tiredness.
  • Depression and anxiety.
  • Sleep problems.
  • Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration.
  • Headaches, including migraines.


Which leg pain is related to heart?

Venous thromboembolism (VTE): Also known as a blood clot in your leg, VTE can be a sign of heart disease . PAD: If your blood vessels narrow or experience plaque buildup, blood doesn't flow through as well. Your tissues are deprived of oxygen, causing pain.

Can heart problems affect your legs?

Swelling (edema) in your lower legs is another sign of a heart problem. When your heart doesn't work as well, blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in your legs. This causes fluid to build up in your tissues. You may also have swelling in your stomach or notice some weight gain.


What can your legs tell you about your heart?

What's not so obvious is that your legs also can tell you a lot about the state of your heart and circulatory system through three conditions: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) Chronic venous insufficiency/varicose veins.

Does blocked arteries cause leg pain?

The narrowing of the arteries causes a decrease in blood flow. Symptoms include leg pain, numbness, cold legs or feet and muscle pain in the thighs, calves or feet.

How can I improve blood circulation in my legs?

Here are 7 quick tips to improve blood circulation in the legs and feet:
  1. Walking. Walking is the simplest yet most effective exercise to help improve blood circulation in your legs. ...
  2. Stretching exercises. ...
  3. Different sitting positions. ...
  4. Compression stockings. ...
  5. Yoga. ...
  6. A massage. ...
  7. Sauna bath.