Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) 

Your veins work hard to keep blood flowing to your heart. If they stop working as they should, you may develop varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI develops when the valves stop working properly and allow blood to flow backward (i.e. reflux) and pool in the lower leg veins. CVI is a potentially serious and progressive medical condition. Symptoms can worsen over time if left untreated.

Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

You may experience the following symptoms of CVI in your legs.

• Aching, cramping or swelling
• Heaviness or tiredness
• Open skin sores on
• Painful varicose veins

Risk Factors for Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

You may be at a higher risk for CVI if you fall into one or more of these risk categories:

• Over 50
• Family history
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Trauma
• Prolonged Standing
• Obesity or excess weight
• Current or previous pregnancies
• Smoking

Preventing Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

Some things you can do to help prevent CVI include:

• 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

Treating Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

We offer minimally invasive treatment options for varicose veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). The procedure we use is done at our vein clinic and is completed within a one hour visit. The actual procedure takes less than 10 minutes. Our patients go home the same day and typically resume normal activities within a few days. Most patients report a noticeable improvement in their symptoms within 1-2 weeks after the procedure. 

Vein Clinic at CHI St. Vincent Heart Clinic Arkansas - 501.255.6160