Runners - esp. over 40 - leg vein issues??

Today I went on a 3 mile run. Well, half run, half walk as I discovered a lump in my lower leg vein near my ankle. It was a warm spreading pain as well, not quite searing but similar in nature. My run stopped right there. I'm admittedly paranoid due to my tachycardia and the fact that my dad dropped dead at the age of 59 from his 4th heart attack, having had his first massive one at 39 and a quadruple bypass at that time. I envisioned a blood clot stroking me out or clogging my heart! So, I won't go into the story of trying to get a ride home, but I eventually walked the 1.5 miles and all is well as far as I can tell.
I looked up vein bulges and lumps online and didn't find much conclusively either way. I am over 40 and on the pill for more than the last 15 years, but I don't smoke. Is this just a sign of getting older, and maybe a version of a varicose vein brought on my the pressure from running? Do any of you runners have such bulges in your lower leg veins? Do you know what they are?

13 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Mo, I have no idea, but how are you this morning?

Scarlet

Mo, is there a clinic or something you can call? I do not have medical knowledge but this sounds like something that could be very serious or not and would have to be checked to be sure. Also when you run do you carry some emergency contact information (like of your bf) on you somewhere? That is something we should all do. I mean that very seriously.

(website)

Thanks for your concern ladies. I do carry my cellphone with me when I run, annoying as that is. The trouble was, the BF came home for lunch and wasn't at his office when I called. I could actually see him backing the truck up at our place from across the river, so frustrating.
I am thinking maybe it is a version of varicose veins after reading up a bit. The pressure of pumping all that blood pushes on weaker vein walls and makes them bulge, creating lovely varicose veins. I did just walk home after 10 min of putting my foot up and massaging the bump down. The BF got my message when he got to work and raced home ready to take me to a doctor. I told him no need, but to please carry his cell phone from now on.
So, no one else has had bumps or lumps form on their lower leg veins from running? Hmmm, lucky me being the odd one out lol.

MNsara

No bumps on my lower legs, but that does 'sound' like a varicose vein.

I started getting those broken veins that look like blue/purple map lines on my lower legs after age 50, but no bumps so far. I ran for more than 25 years before switching to yoga.

My husband has the bumps on his lower legs and he used to do a lot of heavy lifting for his work.

I think (strictly opinion) that some people are just fated to get bumps, and some fated to get road maps. Probably exertions aggravate or hasten them.

Not sure it they still reccomend them, but those intense stockings (Jobs?) used to be used to help with the formation and if they cause pain

milehighstyle (Linda)

Hi Mo - Sorry I'm so late in getting to this. I'm in my 40's, have been running for 30 years and I have a varicose vein in my right calf, but it's pretty obvious to me that that's what it is because I can see the whole vein bulging out, not just a lump. So I don't know if it's the same thing as what you are talking about. My sister had a stroke at age 34 so I get freaked out too.

Kat

42 yo runner here....just wanted to suggest, with your family history and cardiac history, that you might want to call your GP, explain the situation, and possibly get a doppler study to be sure it is just a varicose vein

Also, around here, all the cute young runners are wearing compression socks and arm sleeves.... you could look into that and set a trend in your n'hood

Thanks Kat, but it's so hot I can barely stand wearing my shorts lol. Even today heat index was 97 before noon - sigh. But when I get back to the mountains, I like the idea of compression socks!
I've run twice since then and all seems okay. I will go see if the community clinic doctors have any opinion on it when I get back home in a couple months. They have all my tachycardia history and info.

I lived in Florida for a few years in college and just post college and remember folks having to get up before 5 am to be done running before the heat/humidity combo turned "really unpleasant". I'm terribly impressed that anyone can consider physical activity in that kind of weather....Kudos and applause

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