VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY
Healthy leg veins have valves that keep blood flowing to the heart. Venous insufficiency develops when the valves stop working properly and allow blood to flow backward (i.e. reflux) and pool in the lower leg veins. If chronic venous insufficiency is left untreated, symptoms can worsen over time.
Venous insufficiency may cause the following symptoms in your legs¹:
- Varicose veins
- Aching
- Swelling
- Cramping
- Heaviness or tiredness
- Itching
- Open skin sores
- Restlessness
Venous insufficiency is a potentially serious and progressive medical condition. Symptoms can worsen over time if left untreated.
Venous insufficiency (VI) is 2 times more prevalent than coronary heart disease (CHD) and 5 times more prevalent than peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
- Varicose veins may be more than just a cosmetic issue
- Varicose veins are not the same as spider veins (visit our Glossary of Terms page here to find out more about spider veins)
- Varicose veins affect BOTH men and women
- To locate a vein specialist in your area, please visit our Find a Doctor Physician Locator.
WHO IS AT RISK FOR VI
VI can affect anyone; gender and age are factors that may increase your risk.³ For example, women older than 50 are more likely than others to develop VI. Other factors that may increase your risk, include:
- Family history
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Trauma
- Prolonged Standing
- Obesity or excess weight
- Current or previous pregnancies
- Smoking
PREVENTION
For mild forms of VI, lifestyle changes may be recommended to control existing symptoms and prevent others. The following measures may help prevent varicose veins and VI:4
- Manage body weight
- Exercise regularly, focusing on exercises that work your legs (run or walk)
- Elevate your legs whenever possible
- Avoid prolonged standing or sitting
- Avoid clothes that are tight around the waist, groin or legs
- Avoid shoes that limit use of calf muscles (i.e., high heels)
- Eat a diet low in salt and rich in high-fiber foods
TREATMENTS
Varicose veins are often misunderstood as a cosmetic problem and many people living with them do not seek treatment. The good news is that there are minimally invasive treatment options available for varicose veins and VI.
- The ClosureFast™ procedure uses controlled and consistent heat delivered by the ClosureFast™ catheter to seal the diseased vein. Once the vein is sealed, blood is rerouted to nearby healthy veins.
- The ClosureFast™ procedure has been rigorously tested and proven across multiple studies and patients.5-8
- The VenaSeal™ closure system delivers a small amount of proprietary medical adhesive to the diseased vein. The adhesive seals the vein and blood is rerouted through nearby healthy veins.
- Three clinical studies demonstrate results that support the clinical safety and effectiveness of the VenaSeal™ closure system.9-11