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Venous Insufficiency

Published on July 10, 2025 at 4:00 / Updated on July 24, 2025 at 8:01

Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the blood does not flow normally up through the veins in the legs towards the heart.

Causes and triggers

Veins have valves allowing the blood flow to return up to the heart. Venous insufficiency occurs when these valves or the vein itself are damaged. The damage can be caused by a blood clot, a leg injury, a surgery or simply a too-high blood pressure.

Venous insufficiency is a health problem that is especially common among people over 50, and its incidence increases with age. The following factors also increase one's risk for developing this condition:

  • Family history of venous insufficiency
  • Overweight
  • Pregnancy
  • Prolonged sitting or standing
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Smoking

Symptoms

Symptoms associated with venous insufficiency include:

  • Heavy legs
  • Night cramps
  • Pain
  • Restless leg syndrome (uncontrollable movement of the legs)
  • Skin changes
  • Swelling
  • Tingling
  • Varicose veins

Varicose veins are twisted veins that are bluish in colour and visible just under the surface of the skin. They typically appear in the legs. They are very common, but people having varicose veins do not all develop venous insufficiency.

In some cases, pressure exerted by blood in the veins causes small blood vessels to rupture, which leads to the release of blood into the surrounding tissue. When this occurs, the skin becomes reddish-brown. In more serious cases, a blood clot may form in a vein (phlebitis). Another complication that could arise is leg ulcers.

Treatment

It is important to treat venous insufficiency, as it can worsen and lead to complications. To help reduce pain and discomfort, the use of compression stockings is recommended, while getting regular exercise will help activate circulation. Medication can also be used to prevent blood from clotting or to heal an ulcer.

Other types of therapy are also available and worth considering. Sclerotherapy, for example, is a treatment that involves the injection of sclerosing solutions into varicose veins or the use of a laser to close the veins. Several types of surgeries can also be performed depending, among other things, on the size and location of the varicose veins.

Prevention

Certain measures can be taken to prevent venous insufficiency and varicose veins. Here are some examples:

  • Avoid smoking
  • Exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy body weight
  • Reduce salt consumption
  • Sleep with your legs elevated
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