Chronic Venous Insufficiency: How It Works, Explained Simply

Video Transcript

Chronic venous insufficiency is what happens when the leg veins fail to return blood effectively over a long period. Healthy veins use one-way valves and the calf muscle pump to move blood upward, toward the heart. When valves leak, or a vein is blocked, blood pools in the lower leg and the pressure inside those veins stays high. That sustained pressure is the real problem. It pushes fluid out of the vessels and into the surrounding tissue. The first sign is often swelling around the ankle that builds through the day and settles overnight. Over time the skin changes. It can darken to a brown or rust colour, become dry and itchy, and feel hardened or tight around the ankle. If the pressure continues, the skin can break down into an open sore, most often near the ankle. These are slow to heal. Because the underlying valve problem does not resolve on its own, these stages tend to progress over years if they are not addressed. Compression, elevation, staying active, and treating the veins that are leaking all work toward the same goal: lowering that pressure. This video is for general education only. It is not medical advice. Ask your doctor what's right for you.