Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is the most common cardiovascular disorder and is caused by malfunctioning valves in the venous system of the lower legs. During normal circulation, blood is returned to the heart by normal walking movements. When the valves within the venous system do not work properly, blood will pool and accumulates in the lower legs, causing increased pressure and leading to sensations of heaviness and pain. This can lead to serious health conditions if left untreated. Each year, approximately 150,000 new patients are diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), with a patient cost of care at $500 million annually. The patients most often affected are females over the age of 50 with history of prior pregnancies.
There are often multiple causes of CVI: hereditary/family history, part of the aging process, the aftermath of multiple pregnancies, the type of job that requires sitting or standing for long periods of time, obesity, damage to the vein, or a prior Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
Signs that a problem is present include enlarged varicose veins that are causing pain, swelling in the calves and ankles, flaky or itchy skin, burning, heaviness and tiredness in the legs. Another sign to be aware of are ulcers that may form on the leg and change in appearance.
You Have a Choice When It Comes to Vascular Care.
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You Have a Choice When It Comes to Vascular Care.
Get an Appointment at VIC In 1 to 3 days – Without a Referral!
A simple venous duplex ultrasound can be performed in an outpatient surgical/interventional setting, requiring little to no down time and virtually pain free. This will give your provider a look into the legs to evaluate the flow and determine the course of treatment that needs to be administered.
Treatment can be suggested based on the stage of disease the patient is facing. In the early stages of CVI, the main goal is to prevent additional pain on behalf of the patient. Modifications such as diet change and increased mobility, along with the use of wearing compression hose, may allow for improvements to manifest. In more serious cases, procedures can be performed to deal with the troubled vein using thermal or chemical ablation to close the abnormal vein and reduce pressure on the system.
What are the best means of prevention for Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
As with all potential issues, being aware of problems within the body and early detection with needed intervention can make all the difference in the outcome that a patient can experience. Simple lifestyle changes may be all that is needed to control the condition and prevent an intervention. Be evaluated early if there are concerns.
CVI is caused by abnormally high pressure in the venous system. One of the common symptoms described is a sensation of pain, heaviness, or pressure. You can also notice varicose veins, spider veins in the legs, excessive swelling in the calf and ankle areas, and lower leg or foot discoloration. If left untreated, the texture of the skin can change, becoming tough and leathery. During the final stage of disease, open sores known as ulcers will develop, making the condition more difficult to treat.
Common CVI symptoms include varicose veins, swelling, cramping, heaviness in the legs, skin changes, and in more severe cases, open sores or ulcers. Recognizing these chronic venous insufficiency indicators is the first step toward seeking appropriate care.
Chronic venous insufficiency treatments range from conservative approaches like wearing compression hose to improve blood flow and control swelling, to more involved chronic venous insufficiency medical procedure options. These procedures can include endovascular techniques to remove or treat diseased veins or to improve blood flow with venoplasty (ballooning) and stenting.
About 50% of men and women in the United States experience some form of chronic venous insufficiency. While it affects both genders, women over 50, particularly those who have had multiple pregnancies, are often the most affected. Understanding the prevalence can highlight the importance of recognizing potential CVI symptoms.
Several chronic venous insufficiency self-care steps can help prevent or manage the condition, including stopping smoking, losing weight, eating healthily and exercising regularly. It’s also advisable to avoid prolonged sitting or standing, wear supportive shoes, and generally adopt a healthy lifestyle to support good vein health and reduce the risk of chronic venous insufficiency.
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