Archive · 16 Aug 2025
CVI: How Chronic Venous Insufficiency is often mistaken for aging
Imagine your legs have tiny pipes that carry blood back to your heart.
Sometimes, these pipes get weak and don't work as well, a condition called CVI.
This causes blood to pool in your legs, leading to swelling and other problems.
It's often mistaken for getting older because the symptoms seem similar.
Things like standing for too long or being overweight can make it worse.
Doctors can help with special socks and sometimes with medicines or procedures.
Recognizing the problem early and taking care of your legs can prevent serious issues like painful sores and mobility problems.
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is often mistaken for aging, leading to delayed treatment.
CVI occurs when leg veins struggle to return blood to the heart, causing blood pooling.
Symptoms like swollen ankles and leg heaviness are often misdiagnosed as arthritis or old age.
Lifestyle factors like obesity and prolonged standing can increase CVI risk and worsen symptoms.
Compression therapy is effective, but faces challenges like awareness and financial issues in India.
- Who
- Dr. Sachin Mittal, an Associate Clinical Director and HOD of Robotic, MI, Bariatric & General Surgery, shares insights.
- What
- Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition where leg veins struggle to return blood to the heart.
- When
- Symptoms are often mistaken for normal aging, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
- Where
- India's aging population.
- Why
- CVI is underdiagnosed because symptoms are often mistaken for natural aging or arthritis.
- Condition
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
- Primary Symptom
- Leg heaviness, swelling, cramping, and fatigue
- Misdiagnosis
- Often mistaken for arthritis or normal aging.
- Contributing factors
- Obesity, inactivity, and prolonged standing.
- Treatment
- Compression therapy, medication, and minimally invasive procedures.
- Expert
- Dr. Sachin Mittal