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Venous insufficiency - Overview

Alternative Names

Chronic venous insufficiency

Definition of Venous insufficiency:

Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Venous insufficiency involves one or more veins. Valves in the veins usually push the flow of blood toward the heart. When these valves are damaged, the blood leaks and pools in the legs and feet. The condition may also be caused by a blockage in a vein from a clot (deep vein thrombosis).

Chronic venous insufficiency is a long-term condition. It occurs because of partial vein blockage or blood leakage around the valves of the veins.

Risk factors for venous insufficiency include:

Age
Being female (related to levels of the hormone progesterone)
Being tall
Genetic factors
Obesity
Pregnancy
Prolonged sitting or standing

Heart, front view

Venous insufficiency

Reviewed last on: 4/29/2008
Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, and physician in the Primary Care Clinic, Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Bergen JJ, Shmidt-Shonbein GW, Smith PD, et al. Chronic venous disease. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(5):488-98.

McPhee S, Papadakis M, Tierney L. Chronic venous insufficiency. In: 2008 Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment. 47th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education; 2007:chap 12.

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