Venous Reflux

Venous reflux facts

Important health information from Dr. Manshadi

In healthy leg veins, tiny valves keep blood flowing to the heart. A condition called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when valves malfunction and let blood flow backward and pool in lower leg veins. Left untreated, symptoms can worsen over time.

Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency in your legs include:

• Varicose veins
• Aching
• Swelling
• Cramping
• Heaviness or tiredness
• Itching
• Open skin sores
• Restlessness

As one of the underlying causes of venous ulcers, CVI is a potentially serious and progressive condition. CVI is two times more common than coronary heart disease (CHD) and five times more common than peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Who is at risk?

Everyone is at risk for CVI, with women over 50 having an increased risk. Other risk factors can include:

• Family history
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Trauma
• Prolonged standing
• Obesity or excess weight
• Current or previous pregnancies
• Smoking

Can you prevent or control CVI?

If your condition is mild, Dr. Manshadi may recommend lifestyle changes to control your symptoms. These include:

• Weight management
• Regular exercise like running or walking
• Elevating your legs when possible
• Avoiding prolonged standing or sitting
• Avoiding clothes too tight for your waist, groin or legs
• Avoiding high heels
• Eating low-salt, high-fiber foods

Many people think varicose veins are just a cosmetic problem and many people with varicose veins do not seek treatment – even though there are advanced, minimally invasive varicose veins treatment options available. Here are two of the latest:

• ClosureFast™ is a procedure that uses controlled, consistent heat to seal the diseased vein. After the vein is sealed, blood is rerouted to nearby healthy veins. The ClosureFast™ procedure has been rigorously tested and proven with multiple studies and patients.
• The VenaSeal™ is a closure system that delivers a small amount of medical adhesive to the diseased vein. This seals the vein and reroutes blood through nearby healthy veins. Three clinical studies have demonstrated results that support the clinical safety and effectiveness of the VenaSeal™ closure system.

Heart specialist Dr. Manshadi can help you decide which varicose veins treatment option is best for you.