Is running causing/bad for varicose veins?

As a vein treatment expert, I always encourage
my patients to exercise. Walking is the best exercise, but running is also good
and should not have any adverse effects at all on your veins. Standing or
sitting in one position for long periods of time has been shown to increase
your risk for developing varicose veins.

ANy type of activity which entails using your calf muscles is good for your veins and improves symptoms associated with venous insufficiency. It is also great for your cardiovascular fitness - heart, arteries to the legs, arteries to the brain (carotid), etc. It is important for you to get a venous Duplex scan if you have symptoms at rest - aching and pain in the legs, heavy or tired legs, cramoing or throbiing after resting from your exercise or swelling of the leg or ankles. Read the E-books about venous disease provided on the link below. 

Exercise, in general, is great for the leg veins because the calf muscle contraction increases the venous return and reduces the venous pressure. However, the pounding that occurs from running and the pressure that increases from leg squats may damage the valves in the saphenous system leading to reflux (leaking) of the valves of the saphenous system which can lead to both varicose and spider veins. Exercises such as biking, spinning, and elliptical would be a better choice than running.