Ways to help

Diet and exercise: Being overweight puts extra pressure on your veins. Increasing your daily exercise will help, whether or not you’re overweight.

Standing: Research suggests jobs requiring long periods of standing may increase your varicose vein risk or worsen them. Talk to an occupational health expert.

Compression stockings: Designed to steadily squeeze your legs, improving circulation; tightest at the ankle and gradually loosening further up your leg. Ask your pharmacist. Speak to your GP if they’re uncomfortable or don’t fit properly. It’s possible to get custom-made ones. Compression tights are available privately.