Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
Why it Matters?
The US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), a condition where leg veins fail to return blood to the heart, often affecting people over 70.
What You Should Know?
CVI occurs when the vein valves in the legs malfunction, leading to blood pooling and pressure buildup.
It may start in one leg but can affect both, causing pain, swelling, cramps, skin changes, and even ulcers.
Common causes include obesity, pregnancy, genetics, trauma, DVT (deep vein thrombosis), sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and ageing.
It shares risk factors with cardiovascular disease (CVD), like diabetes, high BP, and lack of exercise, but is not the same as CVD.
Research shows people with CVI have a 60% higher chance of also having severe cardiovascular disease.
Diagnosis is done using a Doppler ultrasound to detect valve issues, blockages, or clots.
Treatment includes medicines to improve venous function, compression stockings, lifestyle changes, laser ablation or vein glue procedures as minimally invasive options, and traditional vein ligation and stripping if necessary.
Patients may be symptomatic or asymptomatic.