What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when the valves in your veins don’t work as they should. Healthy valves in your veins prevent the blood from flowing backward and help it return to your heart. However, when the valves get weak or damaged, your blood can begin pooling in the diseased veins, which can cause many kinds of problems.

CVI usually occurs in the leg veins, where your veins are under the most pressure. CVI may present with symptoms such as varicose veins, spider veins, pain, swelling, discoloration, and leg ulcers that refuse to heal.

Older woman with swollen ankles from vein problems

What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when the valves in your veins don’t work as they should. Healthy valves in your veins prevent the blood from flowing backward and help it return to your heart. However, when the valves get weak or damaged, your blood can begin pooling in the diseased veins, which can cause many kinds of problems.

CVI usually occurs in the leg veins, where your veins are under the most pressure. CVI may present with symptoms such as varicose veins, spider veins, pain, swelling, discoloration, and leg ulcers that refuse to heal.

What Causes Venous Insufficiency?

Deep Vein Thrombosis

This is an accompanying condition and it is often the cause behind several symptoms of vein disease. DVT is the name for a blockage caused by a blood clot in a deep leg vein. Veins in the thighs or calves are the most at risk for DVT.

Lack of Exercise

Regular cardiovascular exercise strengthens the veins and arteries. Also, regular exercise helps fight off many of the risk factors for developing CVI. However, without exercise, you run the risk of developing obesity which can strain and weaken the valves in your veins.

Smoking

Smoking exposes your entire body to dangerous chemicals that weaken your immune system, speed up your body’s biological age, and impair your ability to heal.

Leg Injuries and Inflammation

Traumatic leg injuries or swelling that occurs in the leg increases the risk of developing a blood clot as well as vein weakness. 

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure from obesity, heart disease, or even just sitting or standing for long periods of time will weaken your veins and increase your risk of developing CVI.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy causes significant hormonal changes and places additional pressure on the leg veins. If you are pregnant or have been pregnant in the past, you are more likely to develop CVI.

Family History

A family history of CVI is an indicator that you have a higher risk of developing CVI.

Symptoms of Venous Insufficiency

Swelling
Pain that stops when you stop walking
Soreness
Tightness in your calves
Discolored brown skin around your ankles
Open leg ulcers
Restless leg syndrome
Painful leg cramps
Charley horses
Leathery skin
Heaviness in the legs

Venous Insufficency Diagram

Treatment for Venous Insufficiency

Lifestyle Changes

Because lifestyle is the main influence behind the development of CVI, if you make certain lifestyle changes, you can better manage your venous insufficiency and reduce your symptoms. These lifestyle changes will focus on helping you promote healthy blood flow.

  • Wearing compression stockings
  • Elevating your legs
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Exercising regularly
  • Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time

How to Reverse Venous Insufficiency Ulcers

In order to get venous leg ulcers to heal, you will need to consult with a vein doctor and discuss your treatment options. Your treatment may involve wound care, surgery, and medication to help make sure your leg wounds heal. 

Your doctor may recommend one or more of the above lifestyle changes to promote healing. To find the most effective treatment, you may need to receive a duplex venous ultrasound to accurately diagnose the source of your venous insufficiency symptoms.

A woman sitting down on a couch grasping her calf due to leg pain from chronic venous insufficiency

Medical Treatments

Treatment will depend on the type of symptoms you’re experiencing. However, the most common treatments for CVI we perform at VeinSolutions Flint and VeinSolutions Lapeer include:

Talk to a Vascular Doctor About Venous Insufficiency

Call, email, or visit VeinSolutions in either Flint or Lapeer, MI to meet with a certified vascular surgeon and start your journey to healthy veins!

vein health

Talk to a Vascular Doctor About Venous Insufficiency

Call, email, or visit VeinSolutions in either Flint or Lapeer, MI to meet with a certified vascular surgeon and start your journey to healthy veins!