What Causes Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common medical problem affecting women and men. About 7 million Americans are diagnosed with CVI, but the actual number may be much higher, with data suggesting as many as 17% of men and up to 40% of women may be affected.

CVI typically affects the veins in the lower legs, making it harder for blood to circulate. Without diagnosis and management, the effects of CVI can be serious.

At Advanced Vascular Surgery, with six Michigan locations, our board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners use advanced techniques to diagnose and manage CVI for better cardiovascular health, greater comfort, and improved quality of life. 

In this post, they review some basic information about CVI, including why it happens and what factors increase your risk.

CVI causes and risk factors

When we think of blood moving through the vascular system, we probably think of it as propelled by the heart’s pumping action. The heart does play an integral role in circulation, but once your blood reaches the veins — the vessels that transport blood back to your heart — it needs help.

Your veins contain a series of tiny valves. These valves open and close repeatedly, helping to push blood back toward your heart. If these valves malfunction, we wind up with varicose veins, spider veins, and CVI.

CVI most commonly affects the veins in your legs, causing blood to slow down, pool up, and even flow backward. Near the surface of your skin, that causes visible varicose veins. But CVI can also affect the deeper veins, which means you can have CVI without visible symptoms.

Anyone can develop CVI, but it tends to occur more commonly among people with specific risk factors, like:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Prior leg injury or blood clots
• Prolonged sitting or standing (for instance, for your job)
• Smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Other vessel problems, such as deep vein thrombosis or phlebitis
• Family history of CVI or other cardiovascular problems

CVI can also occur during pregnancy when the weight of the growing uterus puts added pressure on your leg veins.

Diagnosing and managing CVI

Diagnosing CVI begins with a review of your symptoms and a visual examination of your legs. CVI can cause a host of symptoms, including:

• Swelling in your feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Tight, shiny leg skin
• Leg pain, cramping, or aching that typically stops with rest
• Varicose veins
• Changes in skin color or temperature
• Leg sores that take a long time to heal
• Restless leg syndrome

In addition, we may order diagnostic imaging or lab tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.

We offer a variety of treatment options to help you manage CVI and prevent complications. 

Because vein problems affect people differently, we develop management plans based on each person’s unique needs. Plans typically begin with conservative options, like lifestyle changes and compression stockings, before we recommend more invasive options.

Make vein health a priority

Understanding the causes, risk factors, and symptoms associated with chronic venous insufficiency can help you seek medical treatment before severe circulation-related problems develop.

If you have symptoms of CVI, request an appointment with the team at Advanced Vascular Surgery today. We have offices in Kalamazoo, Allegan, Battle Creek, Coldwater, Sturgis, and Three Rivers, Michigan. Call the location nearest you or request an appointment online.