Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition where the veins in your legs have trouble sending blood back up to your heart. Imagine your veins as highways with one-way valves that keep traffic (blood) flowing in the right direction. In CVI, these valves weaken or get damaged, causing blood to pool in your legs instead of moving upward. Over time, this can lead to swelling, skin changes, and even painful ulcers.

Let’s break it down with a simple example. Think of your leg veins like elevators. Normally, the elevator (blood) moves up to the top floor (your heart), and the doors (valves) close behind it to stop it from sliding back down. In CVI, those elevator doors are stuck open, and the blood keeps falling back down, causing congestion and pressure.

CVI can be caused by aging, obesity, pregnancy, or a history of deep vein thrombosis (a type of blood clot). It’s more common in people who sit or stand for long periods, like office workers or cashiers. Early symptoms might include heavy or aching legs, swelling around the ankles, or visible varicose veins. As it progresses, the skin may darken or feel leathery, and open sores can form.

Treatment often includes wearing compression stockings to help blood flow, regular exercise, leg elevation, and in some cases, medical procedures to repair or close off faulty veins. While CVI isn’t life-threatening, ignoring it can lead to serious complications.

Understanding CVI empowers you to spot early signs and seek timely help. As medicine advances, more effective, less invasive treatments are being developed, giving hope to millions who suffer from this often-overlooked condition.