Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition that happens when the valves in your veins become weak or damaged. This causes blood to pool in your legs instead of return to your heart. It can put pressure on your vein walls and cause a range of symptoms.
At the UPMC Division of Vascular Surgery, we take a team approach to diagnose your chronic venous insufficiency. Then, we'll design a treatment based on your specific needs.
To request an appointment, contact the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute:
Veins carry blood back to your heart. They rely on valves — or flaps — to open and close to allow the blood to move forward.
Chronic venous insufficiency is a vein condition.
It occurs when the valves become weak or damaged, allowing blood to pool in your legs instead of moving back your heart. This can put pressure on your vein walls and cause a range of symptoms.
Weak or damaged valves cause chronic venous insufficiency.
Some risk factors that can lead to weak or damaged valves include:
Chronic venous insufficiency symptoms can include:
To diagnose chronic venous insufficiency, your UPMC vascular surgeon will:
Your surgeon may also use imaging tests to confirm a chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis.
These tests may include:
The goals of chronic venous insufficiency treatment are to:
Treatment for chronic venous insufficiency may include: