Don't Ignore Heavy Legs: Recognizing the Early Signs of Venous Insufficiency

Venous insufficiency is just what its name suggests. It’s a condition that presents when the veins work insufficiently. It usually affects the blood vessels in your legs. Their inability to do their job causes blood to pool in your legs.

That can lead to symptoms such as heavy-feeling legs. And while they might not be outright painful, these symptoms aren’t something to ignore.

If you experience the early signs of venous insufficiency, see our team at Louisiana Heart and Vascular Institute in Covington, Franklinton, or Hammond, Louisiana. As experts in venous insufficiency, our providers can help figure out if you’re living with this condition. 

Left unchecked, this problem can lead to a blood clot in your legs. If it then dislodges and travels to your lungs or heart, the situation could become life-threatening.

If any of the below symptoms sound familiar, don’t wait to make an appointment.

Warning signs of venous insufficiency

Your veins don’t have a system to alert you at the first sign of a failure. But they do slowly send physical feedback that can tip you off to a problem.

In its early stages, venous insufficiency might cause:

• Legs that feel heavy, achy, full, or tired, especially after you stand for a while
• Visible veins, including spider veins and varicose veins
• Skin changes, such as discoloration or a leathery texture
• Leg cramps
• Pins-and-needles sensations
• Swelling around your ankles

The longer venous insufficiency goes untreated, the more problematic the symptoms. You might develop ulcers that are slow to heal or a blood clot. But if you intervene in this vein condition early, it’s usually manageable. 

Diagnosing and treating venous insufficiency

We can use ultrasound to painlessly take a look at what’s going on in your legs. This technology uses sound waves to create an image that shows how well your blood vessels function. If we determine that you have venous insufficiency, we personalize a treatment plan for you.

In the early stages, you can usually support healthy circulation in your legs by wearing medical-grade compression stockings. 

If one vein looks particularly problematic, we can intervene there too. If you have a varicose vein that bothers you, or we think it has a high risk of clotting, we offer targeted treatment. 

We can seal that problem vein shut with options such as sclerotherapy or radiofrequency ablation.

Heavy legs aren’t something to ignore. If you experience symptoms that sound like venous insufficiency, call Louisiana Heart and Vascular Institute or schedule an appointment online today.