Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the leg veins do not allow blood to travel back to the heart. (Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood to the heart). Problems with valves in the veins can cause the blood to flow both directions, not just toward the heart. These valves that are not working properly can cause blood in the legs to pool. If chronic venous insufficiency is left untreated, pain, swelling and leg ulcers may result.
Chronic venous insufficiency does not pose a serious health threat, but the condition can be disabling and cause pain. The condition affects about 5 percent of the US population. It usually occurs in men between the ages of 70 to 79 and in women between the ages of 40 to 49. Estimates are that about 500,000 persons in the US have ulcers of the lower legs that are a result of this condition.
Chronic Venous insufficiency is more common among those who are obese, pregnant, or who have a family history of the problem. Individuals who have had trauma to the leg through injury, surgery or previous blood clots are also more likely to develop the condition.
Other causes of chronic venous insufficiency include, but are not limited to, the following:
Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may include:
The symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may resemble other conditions. Consult your physician for a diagnosis.
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for chronic venous insufficiency may include:
Specific treatment will be determined by your physician based on:
Chronic venous insufficiency treatment may include:
Surgical procedures that may be used to treat the condition include:
Arterial Disease
Carotid Artery Disease
Chronic Venous Hypertension
Claudication
Critical Limb Ischemia
Deep Venous Thrombosis
Dialysis
Nonhealing Wounds
Peripheral Aneurysms
Peripheral Artery Disease
Pulmonary Embolus
Stroke
Subclavian Steal Syndrome
Subclavian Stenosis
Transient Ischemic Attacks
Varicose Veins
Venous Insufficiency
Venous Stasis Ulcers
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