The veins in our legs are responsible for carrying blood back to the heart. They consist of one-way valves that prevent the blood from flowing backward. But when you have Chronic Vein Insufficiency or CVI, the valves will no longer work as they should. That means that some of the blood will go back down in the legs. It causes the blood to collect or pool in the veins, which can lead to issues such as varicose veins.

Chronic vein insufficiency can cause pain and swelling to occur in the legs. It can also cause the appearance of the skin on the legs to change. In the most severe cases, CVI can cause ulcers to form on the legs.

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What are the Causes of CVI?

Several things can cause chronic venous insufficiency to occur. Here are the five most common reasons.

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Obesity

The added stress of weight to the lower extremities can cause the veins’ valves to weaken, leading to CVI.

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Being Over the age of 50

As we get older, our veins naturally become weaker and damage easily. It can cause issues with the natural delivery of blood back up to the heart.

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Pregnancy

The added weight with pregnancy or multiple pregnancies can add stress to the veins of the legs, which can cause issues with blood flow and the veins of the legs.

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Have a family history of CVI or blood clots

Those who have a family history of blood clots or CVI are more likely to develop the condition themselves than people who do not.

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Smoking

Smoking is not good for you for a number of reasons. But it is also known to cause severe issues with our veins and contribute to chronic vein insufficiency.

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The Stages of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

There are six chronic venous insufficiency stages that people may experience if they fail to have their CVI treated by a professional. These stages eventually lead to varicose veins.

• Spider Veins
• Reticular Varicose Veins
• Venous Nodes
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency
• Trophic Ulcers or Varicose Eczema

If you notice spider veins and have concerns about these other stages, you should make an appointment with one of our vein specialists as soon as possible. The faster you have treatment for the early stages of chronic vein insufficiency, the less likely you will experience the more severe stages of it.

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What are the Symptoms of Chronic Vein Insufficiency?

If you have chronic vein insufficiency, you may notice that you have swelling or heaviness in your lower legs and ankles. There may be an increase in pain and itchiness in these areas as well. Varicose veins may appear. These are enlarged and twisted veins that are close to the skin’s surface. It is also very common for the patient’s skin to have a leathery appearance when they have CVI.

Without the right form of treatment, the swelling and pressure will cause small blood vessels in the legs to burst. These blood vessels are known as capillaries. When they burst, the skin turns a reddish-brown tone and is especially visible near the ankles. That will lead to ulcers and swelling if left untreated. Leg ulcers are difficult to heal, and they are likely to become infected, which can lead to even more problems with your legs.

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Learn More About CVI Treatment

If you are interested in learning more about CVI treatment, our team is here to help. BASS Vein Center provides a variety of vein treatment options to the residents of the East Bay Area. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your vein issues.