How to Tell If Chronic Venous Insufficiency Is Behind Your Leg Swelling

How to Tell If Chronic Venous Insufficiency Is Behind Your Leg Swelling

You got some swelling around your ankles, which you did not have this morning. You believe it is only because you are standing on your feet, but perhaps there is more to it.
Swollen legs occur in many people.
Although it may arise due to other causes, one of the primary causes is chronic venous insufficiency.
Once you know what to look for, treatment can help you feel much better.

What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Think of your leg veins like pipes that carry blood back to your heart. Inside these veins are tiny doors called valves. They open to let blood flow up and close to stop it from flowing back down.
In case of chronic venous insufficiency, these doors no longer close. The blood flows backward and stagnates in your legs.

Signs That Point to CVI

CVI swelling has its own look and feel. Here’s what to watch for:

What you might notice:

  • Swelling that starts at your ankles
  • Legs that feel heavy and achy
  • Skin that looks shiny around your lower legs
  • Brown or red patches near your ankles
  • Small purple veins are showing up more
  • Legs that cramp or feel restless at night

When it happens:

  • Gets worse as the day goes on
  • Your legs feel heaviest in the evening
  • Better after sleeping with your legs up
  • Worse after standing or sitting a long time

How CVI Swelling Is Different

CVI swelling has special traits that set it apart. When you press on the swollen spot, it leaves a dent that slowly fills back in. The swelling feels usually soft, not hard as in lymphedema.
CVI often starts in one leg or is worse on one side. This is different from heart problems, which usually make both legs swell the same amount.
Also, heart swelling is often present even in the morning, but CVI swelling builds up by the evening and is better when u wake up in the morning. 

When to Get Help

Some signs mean you should see a doctor soon:

  • Swelling that doesn’t get better with rest
  • Skin that changes color or feels hard
  • Sores on your legs that heal slowly
  • Pain that gets in the way of daily life
  • Sudden swelling that gets much worse

Getting help early makes a big difference in how well treatment works.

Our Team at Heart Vascular and Leg Center

We’ve been taking care of people in Kern County for over 20 years. Our team includes heart and vein doctors like Dr. Vinod Kumar, our Medical Director, who really cares about each patient.
We focus on treatments you can get right in our office. We use new technology to find and treat chronic venous insufficiency in our comfortable Bakersfield location. 
Here’s what this means for you:

  • Most treatments happen the same day
  • Low chance of problems
  • You don’t really need to stay in a hospital
  • You can get back to normal activities quickly

We know that vein problems affect your whole life, not just your legs. We listen to what’s bothering you and make a plan that works for how you live.

Get Professional Support

You do not need to experience sore and inflamed legs. If swelling, skin changes, or leg pain are making your days harder, it’s time to find out what’s going on and how to fix it.
At Heart Vascular and Leg Center, we give you the care you need with kindness. Our treatments have helped thousands of people feel comfortable and move better.
Contact Heart Vascular and Leg Center today to set up your visit at our Bakersfield office on Commerce Drive. Your legs deserve good care, and so do you.

FAQs

Can chronic venous insufficiency cause leg swelling? 

Yes, it’s one of the main reasons legs swell. When the doors in your leg veins don’t close properly, blood sits in your legs and causes swelling.

What do your legs look like with venous insufficiency? 

You’ll see swelling around your ankles, brown or red spots on your skin, small purple veins, and skin that looks shiny.

How to tell the difference between lymphedema and venous insufficiency edema? 

Venous swelling is soft and leaves a dent when you press it. Lymphedema feels harder. Venous swelling usually starts at the ankle, while lymphedema often affects the whole leg including toes.

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