Which Compression Level Is Right For You? 15-20 vs 20-30 vs 30-40 mmHg

You Pick Up a Box of Compression Socks — Now What?

You stand at the pharmacy or medical supply store, holding a box marked "15-20 mmHg."
Next to it sits an identical-looking box labeled "20-30 mmHg." Then another at "30-40 mmHg."
Which one do you need? Your doctor mentioned compression socks but never explained the levels.
This confusion sends thousands of Vancouver patients home with the wrong compression every year.
Wrong compression doesn't help — and stronger compression isn't always better for your situation.
This guide explains each level clearly so you choose correctly without guessing or wasting money.

⚠️ This guide is educational, not medical advice. Always follow your physician or pharmacist's specific recommendations.

What "mmHg" Actually Means

mmHg stands for "millimeters of mercury" — the standard medical unit for measuring pressure.
It's the same unit used in your blood pressure readings — 120/80 mmHg, for example.

How compression socks use mmHg:

• The number measures the pressure the sock exerts against your leg.
• Higher numbers mean tighter, stronger compression against the leg.
• Compression is graduated — tightest at the ankle, looser moving up the leg.
• Graduated pressure pushes blood upward toward the heart.

Why graduated matters:

• Even compression all the way up would pool blood in the foot.
• Graduated compression mimics the natural muscle pump effect.
• This pressure pattern is what makes medical compression work clinically.

The 4 Compression Levels at a Glance

15-20 mmHg: The Everyday Mild Option

What 15-20 mmHg does:

• Provides gentle pressure to support tired or mildly swollen legs.
• Helps prevent fluid buildup during long sitting or standing.
• Improves blood circulation without aggressive medical-grade pressure.
• Comfortable for all-day wear without significant discomfort.
• Available over-the-counter without a physician's prescription needed.

Best for:

• Long flights — Vancouver to Asia, Europe, or cross-country travel.
• Long road trips — extended driving causing leg fatigue.
• Office workers — mild end-of-day leg fatigue from sitting all day.
• Retail and standing professions — mild swelling from long shifts.
• Mild early-stage varicose veins — visible but not painful varicose veins.
• Mild pregnancy swelling — first and second trimester comfort.
• Athletic recovery — post-workout recovery for runners and cyclists.
• Prevention during family history — family history of varicose veins or DVT.

NOT enough for:

• Diagnosed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) requiring treatment.
• Lymphedema or chronic venous insufficiency.
• Significant varicose veins with skin changes.
• Post-surgical orthopedic recovery requiring stronger compression.

20-30 mmHg: The Medical Workhorse

What 20-30 mmHg does:

• Provides true medical-grade graduated compression for therapeutic effect.
• Actively manages varicose veins, edema, and venous insufficiency symptoms.
• Reduces leg swelling significantly during the day with consistent wear.
• Prevents progression of vein disease in early-stage patients.

Best for:

• Moderate varicose veins — visible and sometimes painful varicose veins.
• Pregnancy — second and third trimester swelling and varicose vein prevention.
• Post-surgical recovery — orthopedic surgery (hip, knee, ankle).
• Post-surgical recovery — gynecologic, abdominal, C-section recovery.
• Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) — early to moderate stage.
• DVT history without active clots — long-term prevention after treated DVT.
• Lymphedema (mild) — early-stage lymphedema management.
• Heavy standing or sitting professions — nurses, dental hygienists, surgeons.
• Long-distance hiking or running — Vancouver trail runners and marathoners.

Important note:

• Some plans require a physician's prescription to cover this level for insurance.
• Yaletown provides itemized receipts to support insurance claims.

30-40 mmHg: The Strong Medical Level

What 30-40 mmHg does:

• Delivers firm therapeutic compression for serious venous conditions.
• Reduces severe edema and chronic swelling in advanced cases.
• Manages active lymphedema and post-thrombotic syndrome effectively.
• Prevents recurrent DVT in high-risk patients with established disease.

Best for:

• Severe chronic venous insufficiency (CVI Stages 4-6).
• Lymphedema — moderate to severe lymphatic system disease.
• Post-thrombotic syndrome — long-term effects after DVT treatment.
• Severe varicose veins — with skin changes, ulceration, or pain.
• Healed venous ulcers — preventing recurrence after wound healing.
• High-risk DVT prevention — specific medical situations under doctor supervision.

Important warnings:

• 30-40 mmHg requires proper fitting from a trained professional.
• Wrong sizing causes serious skin damage and circulation problems.
• Most BC physicians require prescription for insurance coverage at this level.

Conditions that prevent 30-40 mmHg use:

• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) — reduced arterial blood flow.
• Diabetic neuropathy with circulation issues — risk of skin breakdown.
• Active skin infections — wait for healing before compression.
• Active congestive heart failure — pulling blood centrally can worsen the condition.

When You Need a Prescription

Always need a prescription:

• 30-40 mmHg and higher levels — across all major BC pharmacies and stores.
• Insurance coverage — most BC plans require prescription documentation.
• Custom compression garments — for complex lymphedema or unusual anatomy.
• After DVT diagnosis — your treating physician determines appropriate compression.
• After major surgery — your surgeon prescribes appropriate post-op compression.

Usually do NOT need a prescription:

• 15-20 mmHg — available over-the-counter at Yaletown and most pharmacies.
• 20-30 mmHg — usually available without prescription but insurance varies.
• Athletic compression socks — sports use without medical indication.
• Travel compression — for long flights and prevention purposes.

Match Your Need to a Compression Level

Sigvaris, Medi, and CEP: What Yaletown Stocks

Yaletown Medical Supplies stocks three trusted compression brands for Vancouver patients:

Sigvaris

• Swiss-engineered medical compression for daily wear and clinical use.
• Available in 15-20, 20-30, and 30-40 mmHg across multiple styles.
• Excellent for lymphedema management and post-thrombotic syndrome.
• Compression sleeves and gloves also available alongside socks and stockings.
• Well-supported by BC insurance providers for prescription claims.

Medi

• German-manufactured medical compression with comfort-focused design.
• Available in 15-20, 20-30, and 30-40 mmHg across multiple styles.
• Mediven Elegance line specifically designed for women's daily wear.
• Anatomically engineered for proper graduated compression delivery.
• Trusted by Vancouver vein clinics and orthopedic surgeons.

CEP

• German athletic and lifestyle compression for active Vancouver users.
• Best known for running and athletic recovery compression products.
• Business compression socks for professional Vancouver office workers.
• Mid-cut, knee-high, and full-length options for different sports.
• Combines athletic performance focus with medical-grade compression technology.

How to Get Fitted in Vancouver

The Yaletown fitting process:

1. Listen to your symptoms and medical history during the visit.
2. Take precise leg measurements at ankle, calf, and thigh (if needed).
3. Match your measurements to the specific brand's sizing chart.
4. Demonstrate proper application technique for the chosen sock.
5. Confirm comfort and proper fit before you leave the store.
6. Provide written care instructions for daily wear and washing.

Why proper fitting matters:

• Wrong size means wrong compression — too tight or too loose.
• Compression socks lose effectiveness when fit is off.
• Skin damage occurs from improperly fitted strong compression.

We are open 7 days a week at 1255 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC for fittings.

Common Questions

Will BC extended health insurance cover compression socks?
Many plans cover medical compression with a physician's written prescription.
Yaletown provides itemized receipts for insurance reimbursement.

How long do compression socks last?
Quality compression socks last 4-6 months with daily wear and proper washing.

Can I wear compression socks every day?
Yes — most compression socks are designed for daily wear during waking hours.

Should I wear compression socks during pregnancy?
Yes — 15-20 mmHg for early pregnancy; 20-30 mmHg for later trimesters.

How do I put on tight compression socks?
Use a stocking donor device for 20-30 mmHg and higher levels.

Can I machine wash compression socks?
Yes — gentle cycle in cold water without bleach or fabric softener.

Are compression socks safe for diabetics?
Diabetics need careful selection — wrong compression causes skin damage on insensitive feet.

Can I exercise in compression socks?
Yes — many athletes use 20-30 mmHg compression during training and racing.

What's the difference between socks and stockings?
Socks reach the knee — stockings reach the thigh or include pantyhose styles.

Should I take breaks from compression socks?
Remove at night during sleep unless your physician advises otherwise.

Can I buy 30-40 mmHg without a prescription?
Most BC pharmacies and Yaletown sell 30-40 mmHg with proper assessment.

Visit Yaletown for Proper Compression Fitting Today

The wrong compression doesn't help — stronger compression isn't always better.
Visit Yaletown Medical Supplies for expert sizing and brand selection today.
Call 236-466-2141 or visit 1255 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC.

Written by Ozgur Alacaba, Turkish-licensed Pharmacist (2004-2026) and Owner of Yaletown Medical Supplies. Not registered with CPBC.

Yaletown Medical Supplies | 1255 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC | Open 7 days a week