Compression Levels and Indications
Compression level 1
15–20 mmHg
- Mildly painful, heavy and tired legs
- Support and comfort when standing or sitting for long periods
- Support for general health and energy
- For improved circulation, especially in the legs
- Additional support on active days when you work hard or take a trip
- These products may help during pregnancy to prevent varicose veins and reticular veins
Compression level 2
20–30 mmHg
the most frequent compression level prescribed by doctors
- For varicose veins with mild tendency to oedema
- For varicose veins during pregnancy
- After a varicose vein treatment with surgery such as sclerotherapy and phlebectomy
- For the treatment of orthostatic/postural hypotension, a form of low blood pressure
- For deep vein thrombosis
- For post-thrombotic syndrome
- For healed leg ulcers
Compression level 3
30–40 mmHg
- For moderate venous oedema and lymphoedema
- For lipoedema
- Used after broken bones and orthopaedic operations
- Used for the treatment of skin changes with healed ulcers
When should I consider wearing compression stockings and consult a doctor?
- Pregnancy
- Chronically swollen, painful or tired legs
- Poor circulation in the legs
- Varicose veins or venous leg ulcers
- A known risk of blood clots, especially in the legs
- History or family history of deep vein thrombosis
- Long confinement to bed, for example after an operation
- Prevention: It makes good sense to wear compression stockings to fix a small problem before it becomes a big one.
When is caution required with compression stockings?
- Arterial insufficiency, intermittent claudication, ischaemia
- Uncontrolled congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Acute dermatitis, weeping dermatosis, cutaneous sepsis
- Signs of an infection in the legs
There may also be other reasons. Make sure that your doctor is aware of your medical history before they prescribe compression stockings.