Chronic venous insufficiency

Last updated: Wednesday, May 04, 2011 Print

Summary

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when your leg veins cannot pump enough blood back to your heart due to damage to the vein valves.
Age, being female, obesity and pregnancy are some of the risk factors for CVI.
Symptoms of CVI include aching, heaviness and cramping in the legs.

Definition

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when your leg veins cannot pump enough blood back to your heart due to damage to the vein valves. Vein valves are one-way flaps that help blood in your legs to flow against gravity when a person is in the upright position. Sitting or standing stationary for long periods of time may cause the veins to stretch, which can weaken the vein walls and damage vein valves.

When these valves are damaged, the blood leaks and pools in the legs and feet. CVI is a long-term condition and occurs because of partial vein blockage or blood leakage around the valves of the veins.

Risk factors

Age
Being female (related to levels of the hormone progesterone)
Being tall
Family history of varicose veins
Genetic factors
Obesity
Pregnancy
Prolonged sitting or standing
Insufficient exercise
Smoking

Symptoms

Dull aching, heaviness, or cramping in legs
Itching and tingling
Pain increases when standing
Raising legs relieves pain
Swelling of the legs
Redness of legs and ankles
Skin colour changes around the ankles
Superficial varicose veins
Thickening of the skin on legs and ankles
Ulcers on the legs and ankles

Treatment

Source: National Institutes of Health

Compression stockings can be used to decrease chronic swelling.
Avoid long periods of sitting or standing – even moving your legs slightly will help the blood in your veins return to your heart.
Skin breakdown or infection is treated with wound-care methods.