Medically reviewed by Leslie Cunningham, MD, Ph.D., on July 30, 2024
The vascular system, comprised of arteries, veins, and lymph vessels, efficiently carries oxygen and essential nutrients throughout the body. When we think about what can go wrong with our vascular health, our minds often jump to heart disease or stroke. However, there's another condition that affects millions of people yet often flies under the radar: peripheral venous disease. Peripheral venous disease occurs when veins in the extremities become damaged or blocked, often affecting the legs.
The most common types of peripheral venous disease include:
We spoke to Leslie Cunningham, MD, Ph.D., board-certified vascular surgeon and lead physician at Center for Vein Restoration vein clinics in Saginaw, Michigan, Midland, Michigan, and Lansing, Michigan, to learn more about vascular diseases, including symptoms to look for and a (relatively) easy way to relieve vein symptoms.
Dr. Cunningham: “As much as I like words, sometimes multi-syllabic words get in the way of ideas. Let's keep it simple and focus on what happens when your veins aren't working properly. What we’re really talking about here is a condition called venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency occurs when the tiny one-way valves inside your veins malfunction, leading to various problems in your circulatory system.”
Venous insufficiency occurs when the veins in your legs struggle to pump blood back to your heart efficiently. It affects approximately one-third of adults, yet many people don't even realize they have it. Why? Because its symptoms are often mistaken for normal signs of aging or dismissed as merely the result of a long day on your feet.
To understand venous insufficiency, we must first grasp how our circulatory system works and the interplay between arteries and veins. As Dr. Cunningham explains it:
"If we think about the whole circuit of arteries and veins, with the arteries delivering and the veins returning, the arteries sort of have the easy part because you've got a known pump that everybody understands that pushes the blood out under pressure."
But what about getting that blood back to the heart? That's where things get interesting. The veins in our legs have a tough job— they need to push blood uphill against gravity. To accomplish this feat, they rely on two key mechanisms, according to Dr. Cunningham:
Muscular pumps: The muscles in our legs, particularly in the calf, act as pumps to squeeze the deep veins and push blood upward.
One-way valves: These tiny valves inside the veins prevent blood from flowing backward between muscle contractions. When these leg valves malfunction, venous insufficiency can occur.
“We make a distinction between deep and superficial veins. Deep veins are surrounded by muscle and have a pump. The superficial veins live between the muscle and the skin, in the fat layer, but without a pump. Therefore, what’s going to move that blood is gravity, which makes those one-way valves even more important. Because if the little one-way valves in the superficial system aren't working, gravity wins as soon as you put your legs lower than the rest of your body. That blood begins to fall toward your toes, and it pressurizes the entire system.” -Dr. Leslie Cunnigham
One reason venous insufficiency often goes undiagnosed is that its symptoms can be vague and easily attributed to other causes. Dr. Cunningham notes that many patients, especially men, don't seek treatment until their partners complain about the appearance of their legs.
Common symptoms include:
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's worth discussing them with a healthcare provider specializing in vein treatment options.
Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) is America's largest physician-led vein center, offering expert treatment for chronic venous insufficiency. With 110+ centers in 22 states and 70+ active physicians, CVR boasts a 98 percent patient satisfaction rating.
CVR accepts many insurances, including Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Medicare, and is 50- to 70 percent less expensive than other vein centers.
Diagnosing venous insufficiency isn't always straightforward. As Dr. Cunningham puts it, "My experience is that a good conversation gives us a direction and then allows us to make some choices about the next step."
The diagnostic process typically involves:
The exact course of action will depend on the individual patient's needs and the specific type and severity of their vein disease. The goal is always to improve symptoms, prevent complications, and enhance the patient's quality of life. Most patients can expect:
Treatment Plan Development
The vein physician will create a personalized treatment plan based on the severity of the condition, the type of vein disease, and the patient's overall health. This plan may include both conservative and interventional approaches.
Conservative Management:
By wearing properly fitted compression socks or stockings, patients can often experience significant symptom relief, confirming the venous origin of their discomfort. Dr. Cunningham emphasizes the importance of professional fitting:
"The primary difference is whether or not you hate your compression or not," he quips. Ill-fitting compression socks can create more problems than they solve, potentially causing discomfort or even restricting circulation if they're too tight in the wrong places.”
A professional fitting ensures that your compression garments:
Remember, the goal of compression is to feel more comfortable, not less!
Interventional Treatment Options:
If conservative measures aren't sufficient, your CVR vein physician may recommend:
Follow-up Appointments
The physician will schedule follow-up visits to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.
Patient Education
Ongoing education about managing vein disease and preventing its progression is crucial.
Long-term Management
Vein disease is often chronic, so the physician will work with the patient to develop long-term vein health maintenance strategies.
While venous insufficiency might seem like a mere inconvenience, ignoring it can lead to more serious complications. These can include:
Moreover, the symptoms of venous insufficiency can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting everything from sleep quality to the ability to enjoy physical activities.
If you suspect you might have venous insufficiency, don't hesitate to seek medical advice. As Dr. Cunningham says, "Always good to ask, always good to have the conversation, and what you do with the information is always up to you."
Remember, chronic venous insufficiency is incredibly common, affecting about one in 20 adults, according to Clevland Clinic. It's not just a normal part of aging, and you don't have to live with discomfort. With proper diagnosis and management, many people find significant relief from their symptoms and an improved overall quality of life.
Don't let venous insufficiency keep you from living your best life—take that first step and talk with a Center Vein Restoration (CVR) vein specialist. CVR provides state-of-the-art vascular care compassionately and affordably. CVR vein doctors are trained in all modern vein treatments to ensure the safest and most convenient patient experience.
Call 240-965-3915 to speak to a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR near you today.
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