Venous Insufficiency
Introduction | Anatomy | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment
Introduction
Venous insufficiency is a condition where the veins in your legs struggle to send blood back up to your heart. If not addressed, this condition can progress, causing more serious health issues like leg ulcers or an increased risk of blood clots, significantly impacting a patient's quality of life.
The team at Cross River Cardiology offers comprehensive care for patients suffering from venous insufficiency, focusing on delivering an accurate diagnosis followed by a personalized treatment plan. Utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, we identify the underlying causes of venous insufficiency to tailor treatment options that can range from lifestyle modifications to advanced therapeutic interventions. Your journey to better cardiovascular health starts here.
Anatomy
Your arteries and veins play a crucial role in transporting blood in your body—the former takes blood from your heart to your body, while the latter takes it back to the heart. The veins have valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. When it comes to venous insufficiency, a problem with the flow of blood in your veins, it often occurs due to blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) or varicose veins. Even if this condition runs in your family, do not worry. There are several steps you can take with the help of our team to reduce your risk of getting it.
Causes
Venous insufficiency can either be acute (sudden) or chronic (maintained over a long period of time). The most common causes and risk factors associated with both acute and chronic venous insufficiency include:
This often results from prolonged periods of sitting or standing, which can impede the proper flow of blood back to the heart.
DVT, a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein in the leg, is a leading cause of chronic venous insufficiency. The clot can damage the valves in the veins, affecting their function.
These enlarged, swollen veins can lead to venous insufficiency by preventing blood from flowing efficiently back to the heart.
This refers to the failure of the valves in the leg veins to close properly, leading to the backward flow of blood and increased pressure within the veins.
Symptoms
There are many signs and symptoms of venous insufficiency that patients should be aware of, including:
- Dull achiness or heaviness in the legs
- Itching or tingling
- Pain that worsens when standing
- Pain that eases when legs are elevated
- Redness and swelling of the legs
- Irritated or cracked skin on the legs
- Varicose veins appearing on the surface of the legs
- Thickening or hardening skin on the legs and ankles
- Slow-healing wounds or ulcers on the legs or ankles
Call one of our dedicated providers in the event you have painful varicose veins, your symptoms do not improve with at-home care, or you have a sudden increase in leg pain, swelling, fever, or leg sores.
Diagnosis
If our providers suspect you have venous insufficiency, we will typically begin your diagnostic process by conducting a physical exam and reviewing your medical history. We may also ask for special imaging tests to identify the issue more accurately. The first of these tests is typically a duplex ultrasound.
A duplex ultrasound helps examine the speed and direction of blood flow in your veins by applying a gel to your skin and using a small handheld device called a transducer. This transducer sends sound waves back to a computer, creating images of your blood flow. Generally, this ultrasound is enough to diagnose venous insufficiency. However, for more complex cases, your provider may opt for additional tests like a CT scan or magnetic resonance venography. These tests use x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to get a clearer view of your blood vessels.
Treatment
For the effective management of venous insufficiency, your healthcare provider may recommend certain self-care steps. Regular movement and exercise, even minor, can enhance blood flow. Additionally, if overweight, weight loss can contribute significantly to better health. The use of compression stockings can also greatly improve blood flow in your legs by exerting gentle pressure, aiding in the prevention of leg swelling and potential blood clots.
In cases where more advanced skin changes are observed, your provider can guide you towards suitable skin care treatments and warn about those that may deteriorate the condition. Certain medications may also be advised. For symptoms such as leg pain causing heaviness or tiredness, skin sores resulting from poor blood circulation, or hardened and thickened skin on legs and ankles (lipodermatosclerosis), your provider may recommend more intensive, on-site treatments.
Comprehensive Care for Venous Insufficiency in Lenoir, NC
If your varicose veins are becoming a problem and you feel you may be suffering from venous insufficiency, call us at Cross River Cardiology today at (828) 572-0778. You may also request an appointment online now. We provide the best care for heart health from a private practice in Caldwell County, North Carolina.
