Symptoms
- Wear compression stockings. They ease swelling and improve blood flow.
- Keep your feet elevated above your heart. When you can, do it for 15 minutes every 2 hours and while you sleep.
- Don't stand still for too long. Walk around often.
Causes
Thankfully, it is possible to treat this venous insufficiency and an expert vein doctor can help you find out how. Taking medication and making lifestyle changes to promote blood flow can help to ease the symptoms. However over time, many people may require procedures to cure venous insufficiency.
Prevention
- Wear Compression Garments. Wearing compression garments can help blood that is pooling in the leg, ankle, or foot to flow in the right direction—toward the heart.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight.
- Increase Activity Levels.
- Elevate the Legs.
- Avoid Tight Clothing and High Heels.
- Avoid Salt.
- Moisturize the Skin.
Complications
What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Poor Circulation in Legs?
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Atherosclerosis
- Vasospasm
- Spinal cord injury
- Other causes
How do you reverse venous insufficiency?
Can venous insufficiency be cured?
How do you treat venous insufficiency in the legs?
What causes poor venous return in legs?
Is venous insufficiency a cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular Disease: Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Varicose Veins.
Is venous and vascular the same thing?
A venous expert is someone who specialises just in veins. A vascular expert is someone who specialises in vessels (and those vessels may be arteries or they may be veins). Most vascular specialists do some venous work, but most of their career is spent treating arterial disease.
Does peripheral vascular disease include venous insufficiency?
The legs and feet are most commonly affected. Other blood vessel problems like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), varicose veins, and chronic venous insufficiency are linked to PVD.
Is venous insufficiency a serious condition?
Normally, the valves in your veins make sure that blood flows toward your heart. But when these valves don't work well, blood can also flow backwards. This can cause blood to collect (pool) in your legs. Chronic venous insufficiency is not a serious health threat.
What is venous insufficiency caused by?
Venous insufficiency is most often caused by either blood clots or varicose veins. In healthy veins, there is a continuous flow of blood from the limbs back toward the heart. Valves within the veins of the legs help prevent the backflow of blood.
What is the difference between peripheral vascular disease and venous insufficiency?
PVD occurs when disease affects any of the vessels outside of your heart, wherever they happen to be — in your arms, legs, brain or anywhere else. A common type of PVD is venous insufficiency, which occurs when the valves in the leg veins don't shut properly during blood's return to the heart.
What is the best treatment for venous insufficiency?
Keeping your legs raised (elevated) can reduce swelling and help increase blood flow. Wearing compression stockings may also help. Regular exercise can also improve blood flow.
What is the most common vascular disease?
The most common vascular diseases include peripheral artery disease (PAD) and carotid artery disease.
How do you fix chronic venous insufficiency?
Lifestyle Changes for Chronic Venous InsufficiencyWear Compression Garments. ... Maintain a Healthy Weight. ... Increase Activity Levels. ... Elevate the Legs. ... Avoid Tight Clothing and High Heels. ... Avoid Salt. ... Moisturize the Skin.
Can I live a normal life with venous insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency affects millions of Americans, but the good news is that people with this condition can find relief from pain, avoid the complications, and lead a normal life by making lifestyle changes that include: Exercising. Keeping your salt intake to a minimum. Drinking plenty of water.
What is the most serious complication of venous insufficiency?
However, if left untreated, venous insufficiency can cause far more serious complications like ulcers, bleeding, and a life-threatening condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Does venous insufficiency get worse over time?
Chronic venous insufficiency tends to get worse over time. However, it can be managed if treatment is started in the early stages. By taking self-care steps, you may be able to ease the discomfort and prevent the condition from getting worse. It is likely that you will need medical procedures to treat the condition.
What is the difference between vein and venous?
Oxygen passes through the walls of your capillaries to your tissues. Carbon dioxide can also move into your capillaries from the tissue before entering your veins. The venous system refers to the network of veins that work to deliver deoxygenated blood back to your heart.
What is the difference between arterial and vascular?
The vascular system is composed of many different blood vessels that circulate blood, which carries oxygen and nutrients, throughout your body. Arteries and arterioles make up the arterial system.
How do you tell if it's a vein or artery?
Your arteries are thicker and stretchier to be able to handle the higher pressure of blood moving through them. Your veins are thinner and less stretchy. This structure helps veins move higher amounts of blood over a longer time than arteries.
What does venous blood carry?
The arteries (red) carry oxygen and nutrients away from your heart, to your body's tissues. The veins (blue) take oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. Arteries begin with the aorta, the large artery leaving the heart. They carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to all of the body's tissues.
What Is Venous Insufficiency?
Venous insufficiency is a condition that affects the way blood flows in your body. When your veins are working normally, they return blood from all your organs to your heart. Tiny valves inside these veins keep the blood flowing in the right direction.
What is a vascular surgeon?
Vascular surgeons at U of U Health offer a thorough evaluation, diagnosis, and personalized treatment plan for people with symptoms of venous insufficiency. During the evaluation, the vascular surgeon will perform a complete medical history and physical, including an examination of your legs. You also will have a test called a venous reflux study.
Why do my legs get damaged?
previous damage to one of your legs due to an injury, surgery, or blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Venous insufficiency is less likely in people who are physically active since exercise and good muscle development in the calves can encourage the flow of blood.
What does DVT mean in medical terms?
Some people with venous insufficiency also have deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein located deep inside your body.
Why do veins leak backwards?
When your veins are working normally, they return blood from all your organs to your heart. Tiny valves inside these veins keep the blood flowing in the right direction. Venous insufficiency occurs when these valves aren’t working correctly. Blood may leak backward, away from the heart, causing blood to pool in your legs.
What is the purpose of deep vein surgery?
The goal of these procedures and surgeries is to remove or neutralize diseased veins closest to the surface of your skin. Afterward, “deep veins” in your leg will take over the job of returning blood to your heart.
How to tell if blood is leaking in the wrong direction?
It helps the vascular surgeon see the blood flow in your vein and determine whether the blood is leaking in the wrong direction. During this test, you will lie down on an exam table. An ultrasound technologist will place a transducer (small, handheld device) on the skin where the affected vein is located.
What is secondary venous insufficiency?
Secondary chronic venous insufficiency occurs in response to a DVT which triggers an inflammatory response subsequently injuring the vein wall. Irrespective of the specific etiology, chronic venous insufficiency promotes venous hypertension. The most common non-modifiable risk factors are female gender and non-thrombotic iliac vein obstruction (May-Thurner syndrome). Several studies have also suggested a genetic component contributing to vein wall laxity. Modifiable risk factors include smoking, obesity, pregnancy, prolonged standing, DVT, and venous injury. [4][5]
How many people have venous insufficiency?
An estimated six to seven million people within the United States have an existing diagnosis of advanced venous disease and meet diagnostic criteria for chronic venous insufficiency. Results across studies suggest that in the general population between 1% to 17% of men and 1% to 40% of women may experience chronic venous insufficiency. Despite this wide range, non-western countries appear to have a lower overall prevalence. Among all chronic venous insufficiency patients, approximately 1% to 2.7% will develop a venous stasis ulcer. Formation of an ulcer carries a poor prognosis, with 40% of patients developing recurrence despite standard treatment. Management of chronic venous insufficiency accounts for approximately 2% of the United States total healthcare. [6][7]
What is CVI in medical terms?
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common condition that typically involves lower extremity edema, trophic skin changes, and discomfort secondary to venous hypertension. Disability-related to chronic venous insufficiency can contribute to a significantly diminished quality of life and a loss of productivity.
Why is my valve leaking?
Superficial incompetence is usually due to weakened or abnormally shaped valves or widened venous diameter which prevents normal valve congruence. The leaky valve in most cases is located near the termination of the greater saphenous vein into the common femoral vein. While in some cases the valve dysfunction may be congenital, it can also be a result of trauma, prolonged standing, hormonal changes or thrombosis.
What is the best treatment for superficial vein reflux?
Superficial vein reflux can be managed with foam sclerotherapy, endovenous thermal ablation, or stripping. Deep vein reflux may be treated with valve reconstruction or valve transplant. Perforator reflux can either be managed with sclerotherapy, endovenous thermal ablation, or with subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS). It should be noted, however, that compression therapy regimens that are adhered to are highly effective in treating all forms of venous pathophysiology. [3][11][12]
What is the treatment for CVI?
If the deep venous system is involved, then the treatment is compression stockings.
Why is venography no longer done?
Direct venography is no longer done because of improvements in ultrasound technology and the availability of MRI. Venous plethysmography can assess for reflux and muscle pump dysfunction but the test is laborious and rarely done.
What are the symptoms of venous insufficiency?
Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may include: Having an uncomfortable feeling in your legs and an urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome) The symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may seem like other health conditions. Talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
How is chronic venous insufficiency diagnosed?
Your provider will take your medical history and give you an exam. You may also have an imaging test called a Duplex ultrasound. This looks at blood flow and the structure of your leg veins. It checks the speed and direction of blood flow in the blood vessel.
Why do my leg veins not flow back up to my heart?
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when your leg veins don’t allow blood to flow back up to your heart. Normally, the valves in your veins make sure that blood flows toward your heart. But when these valves don’t work well, blood can also flow backwards. This can cause blood to collect (pool) in your legs.
What is an endovenous laser?
Endovenous laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This is a minimally invasive procedure. A tube (catheter) puts heat right into the affected vein. This closes the vein. Once the vein is closed, less blood pools in the leg. Overall blood flow is improved.
What is a varicose vein?
Varicose veins. Leg ulcers that are sometimes hard to treat. Having an uncomfortable feeling in your legs and an urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome) Painful leg cramps or muscle spasms (charley horse) The symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may seem like other health conditions.
How to get blood flow in legs?
Improving blood flow in your leg veins. Keeping your legs raised (elevated) can reduce swelling and help increase blood flow. Wearing compression stockings may also help. Regular exercise can also improve blood flow.
What is a blood clot in the calf called?
A blood clot in a deep vein, often in the calf or thigh (deep vein thrombosis)
How to know if you have venous insufficiency?
You could be suffering from venous insufficiency if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: 1 Leg cramps 2 Restless legs at night 3 Heaviness, tired, and achy legs 4 Feeling of tightness in the calves 5 Pain in the legs while walking or shortly after stopping 6 Relief from leg pain when legs are raised 7 Swelling of the legs or ankles 8 Varicose veins in the legs
What is Venous Insufficiency (or Vein Reflux)?
Venous Insufficiency is a serious disease of the veins that originates in the leg veins. It is often associated with vein valves that have become damaged, veins that have become blocked, the development of varicose veins or blood clots (DVT – Deep Vein Thrombosis).
How long does it take to get back on your feet after venous insufficiency?
At The Vein and Vascular Institute of Tampa Bay, our Board Certified Vascular Surgeons treat venous insufficiency using minimally invasive laser technology that leaves minimal to no scars and can have you back on your feet within one day.
What is vein screening?
At your vein screening, a venous reflux ultrasound will be performed to evaluate the health of your leg veins. A vein screening will help you discover if you have venous reflux disease (venous insufficiency).
What causes reddish skin on legs?
Venous insufficiency is a progressive disease that continues to get worse with time. If it is not treated, increased pressure in the leg veins and swelling can eventually cause dry, flaky skin as well as skin discoloration (reddish, brown or yellowish).
How many people are affected by vein insufficiency?
Venous insufficiency is a deadly vein disease that is affecting more than 100 Million people in the United States.
What causes blood to flow back to the heart?
When veins in the legs become blocked or if they have valve damage , these veins fail to return blood back up to the heart properly, and this is how venous insufficiency, or venous reflux, begins.
What causes venous insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when these valves become damaged, allowing the blood to leak backward. Valve damage may occur as the result of aging, extended sitting or standing or a combination of aging and reduced mobility. When the veins and valves are weakened to the point where it is difficult for the blood to flow up to the heart, ...
How to stop leg veins from swollen?
Avoid long periods of standing or sitting: If you must take a long trip and will be sitting for a long time, flex and extend your legs, feet, and ankles about 10 times every 30 minutes to keep the blood flowing in the leg veins. If you need to stand for long periods of time, take frequent breaks to sit down and elevate your feet.
What is CVI in a patient?
What is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)? Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that occurs when the venous wall and/or valves in the leg veins are not working effectively, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs.
What is the cause of CVI?
CVI most commonly occurs as the result of a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs, a disease known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). CVI also results from pelvic tumors and vascular malformations, and sometimes occurs for unknown reasons.
What are the symptoms of CVI?
New varicose veins. Leathery-looking skin on the legs. Flaking or itching skin on the legs or feet. Stasis ulcers (or venous stasis ulcers) If CVI is not treated, the pressure and swelling increase until the tiniest blood vessels in the legs (capillaries) burst.
How long does it take for a DVT to develop?
As many as 30 percent of people with DVT will develop this problem within 10 years after diagnosis.
What is the test called for blood circulation in the legs?
During the physical exam, the doctor will carefully examine your legs.A test called a vascular or duplex ultrasound may be used to examine the blood circulation in your legs. During the vascular ultrasound, a transducer (small hand-held device) is placed on the skin over the vein to be examined.
What is Venous insufficiency?
Venous insufficiency is problem of veins with leaky valves. Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free! Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription.
What is the difference between chronic venous insufficiency and peripheral vascular disease?
Artery and vein: Venous insufficiency is a disease of the vein which drains blood out of the legs. Periferal vascular disease is a disease of the artery which delivers... Read More
How do you avoid getting peripheral vascular disease?
Don't Smoke: The development of peripheral vascular disease is multifactorial but smoking is by far the greatest risk factor. Other behavioral modifications would ... Read More
Does peripheral vascular disease normally show up on an echo?
Not normally: Cardiac echos focus primarily on the heart structure (valves and walls) and function (contractility, ejection fraction). They do not look at the perip... Read More
What is PvD in leg?
Arteries vs. veins: Pvd is due to hardening of arteries of legs with pain due to activity . Venous insufficiency is due to damage to the valves in the leg veins that allo ... Read More
What is peripheral vascular disease?
Definitions: Peripheral vascular disease is an outdated term which refers to diseases of the arteries, the blood vessels which carry blood from the heart to the or ... Read More
Is PVD asymptomatic or asymptomatic?
PVD: Pvd can be asymptomatic, the commonest symptom is limb fatigue or cramping with exercise. When limb pain is happening at rest with dvd one may need su ... Read More
What are the goals of venous disease treatment?
The goals of treatment are to reduce symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Your health care provider will recommend the treatment option that is right for you.
What is a varicose vein?
Varicose and spider veins are abnormal, dilated blood vessels caused by a weakening in the blood vessel wall.
What is the term for swelling of the leg?
Chronic venous insufficiency is characterized by pooling of blood, chronic leg swelling, increased pressure, increased pigmentation or discoloration of the skin, and leg ulcers known as venous stasis ulcer.
Why do veins get bigger?
Veins become larger and larger as they get closer to the heart. The superior vena cava is the large vein that brings blood from the head and arms to the heart, and the inferior vena cava brings blood from the abdomen and legs into the heart. If the valves inside your veins become damaged as a result of venous disease, ...
How do veins work?
Veins return oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. Veins are flexible, hollow tubes with flaps inside called valves. When your muscles contract, the valves open and allow blood to move through the veins. When your muscles relax, the valves close, keeping blood flowing in one direction through the veins. Veins become larger and larger as they get ...
What is the system of blood vessels that carry blood to every part of the body?
Overview. As the heart beats, it pumps blood through a system of blood vessels, called the circulatory system. The vessels are flexible, hollow tubes that carry blood to every part of the body. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart. Veins return oxygen-poor blood back to the heart.
Where does a blood clot develop?
Superficial venous thrombosis or phlebitis. Superficial venous thrombosis or phlebitis is a blood clot that develops in a vein close to the surface of the skin. These types of blood clots do not usually travel to the lungs unless they move from the superficial system into the deep venous system first. Typically, however, they cause pain.
What are the risk factors for venous insufficiency?
The following are some risk factors that can make a person more likely to develop venous insufficiency: high blood pressure in leg veins, gender (being female), older age, pregnancy, excess weight, smoker, genetics, and lack of activity/exercise.
Why does blood pool in legs?
This means, the vein valves are not pumping blood back to the heart in the manner they should be. When the vein valves malfunction, the blood begins to pool in the legs, ankles, and feet, because it is not being pumped out of the legs. When valves work properly, they open and close to move the blood back to the heart.
