Why your legs swell in the heat

If you are prone to swelling of the lower legs and ankles, it is likely more pronounced in the summer, whether you’re sitting on your patio or walking the midway at Cedar Point.

Blood vessels dilate in the heat. That’s how your body attempts to cool down. This natural process should be barely noticeable if you have a healthy venous system. However, about 40% of the U.S. population has some form of venous insufficiency, which becomes even more common as we age.

If your veins are not functioning properly, they cannot efficiently pump blood from your lower legs, where gravity causes it to pool, creating swelling, which is exacerbated in the summer heat.

So this summer, pay particular attention to your legs. How are they feeling? Do they feel stiff or “puffy?” Too often we blame this symptom on something else. We say, “I probably just ate too much salt,” or “It must be all the cotton candy.”

But many others ate salt and cotton candy and did not experience leg swelling. That’s why it’s important not to dismiss it. At our practice, we don’t just do vein treatments. We also focus on prevention and conservative treatments.

So if you notice leg swelling this summer, or any of the following symptoms, give our office a call and let’s explore ways to reduce your risks and keep you engaged in a healthy and active lifestyle:

• leg pain or swelling
• heaviness or fatigue
• itching, tingling or burning
• inflammation
• skin discoloration
• restless legs syndrome.

Dr. Sonja Stiller is a diplomat of both the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and the UIP 2023 Lead Chair for Scientific Abstracts. She is the founder of the Center for Advanced Vein Care, a Tier 1 provider with Lake Health Hospital System. The center’s offices are at 7200 Mentor Avenue, in Mentor. For an appointment, call 440-710-1140. Visit YourHealthyVeins.com.