The heart pumps oxygenated blood to all parts of the body including the extremities via the arteries. In turn, walking causes the calf-muscle to compress the leg veins, which propels the deoxygenated blood via the veins upward and back to the heart for re-circulation. Located on the inside of the walls of the veins are delicate one-way valves that open whenever the calf-muscle is compressed. Conversely, the one-way valves close during standing, sitting, or lying down. The closing of the valves during periods of rest prevents the deoxygenated blood from flowing backwards and pooling in the lower leg due to gravity.
The first component to CVI is the weakening of the delicate one-way valves. Pregnancy, occupations requiring long hours of standing, obesity, and/or blood clots can weaken or cause the valves to become incompetent. As the valves weaken, the forces of gravity pull the deoxygenated blood backward through the valves causing pooling. The pooling of deoxygenated blood can lead to the development of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

Early signs of CVI are:

• spider veins (telangiectasia)
• reticular veins
• varicose veins
• edema
  

The second component to CVI is calf-muscle dysfunction. During the evening hours while relaxing and watching TV, the calf-muscle is inactive. The combination of calf-muscle inactivity along with incompetent, faulty valves leads to chronic venous insufficiency.

Who suffers with Chronic Venous Insufficiency and restless leg sensations?

• CVI affects up to 40% of women and 25% of men
• Mid 40's when symptoms occur at least twice a week
• More common in women

Quality of Life Issues

• Legs feel like things are crawling on the inside
• Lack of sleep
• Loss of concentration at work, reduced energy
• Loss of libido
• Social withdrawal