I am sure that many people have read or heard the recent news about the president being diagnosed with a vein condition known as venous insufficiency. In fact, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is the most common vascular disease in the United States, according to Dr. Sean Stewart, regional medical director at the Center for Vein Restoration. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins become damaged and don’t function properly. The veins in your legs carry blood back to the heart and have one-way valves that keep blood from flowing backwards. However, when a person has chronic venous insufficiency, those valves do not work correctly, causing the blood to flow back down into the legs and pool in the veins.
While most cases of chronic venous insufficiency are caused by genetics, certain risk factors can increase a person’s chance of developing the condition. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these include a history of deep vein thrombosis, a family history of varicose veins, being over 50, being a woman, obesity, smoking, and sitting or standing for long periods of time. Symptoms include swelling, throbbing, or heaviness in the legs (especially in the lower regions and ankles), pain, itchiness, varicose veins, ulcers, fatigue, and leathery skin. Without treatment, pressure and swelling cause the legs’ tiny blood vessels to burst, turning the skin reddish-brown near the ankles, which can lead to swelling and skin ulcers.
If you think you might have chronic venous insufficiency, it is important to discuss this concern with your doctor/healthcare provider. In addition to examining you and taking a medical history, they will most likely order an ultrasound of your legs to check the blood vessels and the direction of blood flow. Additional tests may also be ordered.
Based on your condition, symptoms, age, and other factors, your doctor will develop a treatment plan specifically for you. Some treatments include:
- Wearing compression stockings, which apply pressure to the legs and help the blood move
- Not standing or sitting for too long
- Exercising and walking to help boost blood flow
- Taking medications, which vary by condition and cause
- Undergoing surgical and nonsurgical interventions, depending on your individual condition
Damaged veins cannot be repaired, but specific treatments can alleviate symptoms. Talking to your doctor about your condition will help determine which available treatments are suitable for you.
References:
www.webmd.com/dvt/dvt-venous-insufficiency, What is Chronic Venous Insufficiency, By Teresa Dumain, Medically Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on October 29, 2020
Detroit Free Press, “Trump Diagnosed with Common Vein Condition,” Adrianna Rodriquez, USA Today, July 20, 2025.
