What is chronic venous insufficiency?

Chronic venous insufficiency is a mouthful, and it is fine to start with the basic question. What is it, in words anyone can follow?

CVI in one definition

It is a vein condition in the legs. The publisher my.clevelandclinic.org describes it this way: "Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a form of venous disease that occurs when veins in your legs are damaged."

You will often see it shortened to CVI, which is how the rest of this site refers to it.

Three pages on neighboring vein topics

For more on the topic, the Society of Interventional Radiology has a page on superficial venous disease and chronic venous insufficiency. MedlinePlus covers varicose veins and spider veins, and my.clevelandclinic.org has a page on edema. Readers in the townships of Frankfort and Rich can use all three as a starting point.

Mark the words you do not know

Pick one of the pages above and read it with a pen in hand. Mark any word you do not know, then ask your provider to explain it.

A methodical diagnostician names the condition first, then looks at what is happening in the person in front of them.