Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

Quick answer

Chronic venous insufficiency means the valves inside your leg veins have stopped closing properly, so blood pools instead of returning to the heart. That pooling is what causes the swelling, the aching after standing, the new varicose veins and the skin changes around the ankle. It gets worse the longer it goes untreated, and the skin damage is the hardest part to undo.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), also known as Venous Reflux Disease, is a condition that occurs when the venous wall and/or valves in the leg veins are not working effectively, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs. CVI causes blood to collect in these veins and this pooling is called stasis.

Diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity all feed vascular disease, and all three are tracked by county in our California prevalence dataset.

varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)

What are the symptoms of CVI?

The seriousness of CVI, along with the complexities of treatment, increase as the disease progresses. That’s why it is very important to see your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of CVI. The problem will not go away if you wait, and the earlier it is diagnosed and treated, the better your chances of preventing serious complications.Symptoms include:

Swelling in the lower legs and ankles, especially after extended periods of standing
Aching or tiredness in the legs
New varicose veins
Leathery-looking skin on the legs
Flaking or itching skin on the legs or feet
Stasis ulcers (or venous stasis ulcers)

If CVI is not treated, the pressure and swelling increase until the tiniest blood vessels in the legs (capillaries) burst. When this happens, the overlying skin takes on a reddish-brown color and is very sensitive to being broken if bumped or scratched.

At the least, burst capillaries can cause local tissue inflammation and internal tissue damage. At worst, this leads to ulcers, open sores on the skin surface. These venous stasis ulcers can be difficult to heal and can become infected. When the infection is not controlled, it can spread to surrounding tissue, a condition known as cellulitis.

CVI is often associated with varicose veins, which are twisted, enlarged veins close to the surface of the skin. They can occur almost anywhere, but most commonly occur in the legs.

Who’s most commonly affected by CVI?

An estimated 40 percent of people in the United States have CVI. It occurs more frequently in people over age 50, and more often in women than in men. CVI most commonly occurs as the result of a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs, a disease known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). CVI also results from pelvic tumors and vascular malformations, and sometimes occurs for unknown reasons.

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On behalf of my father, a patient of CACVI, I wanted to acknowledge and praise the entire team of this organization for its outstanding surgical expertise and knowledgeable/warm supporting staff. We had gone through countless recommendations that all claimed there was only one last option for treatment, amputation. That news is devastating for anyone to hear, and resulted in my father having little faith that the quality of his life would ever be the same... All that changed the moment we had our first interaction with this organization. The care, knowledge, and most importantly hope that there was still options if we acted fast was single moment that turned this entire nightmare around. Thank you CACVI for being the single most important piece to solving my father's health crisis. Dont think twice, make the appointment and atleast go meet and see them-- for us it was the moment that changed the trajectory of our situation forever for the better.

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Matt Golad

I’m 41 years old, and I have something called May-Thurner’s Syndrome. However, it wasn’t until I saw Dr. Vasim Lala a couple years ago that I was diagnosed with it. May-Thurner’s syndrome is when the main veins that split off into your legs is compressed by the main arteries that split off into your legs. The result is that the blood that should be coming back up through the leg veins pools at your ankles. My whole life until I was diagnosed, I was lethargic. My legs felt heavy. I started to develop purple bruising around my ankles in my twenties. I started to get varicose veins on my calves. I thought this was normal. I was living on “hard mode” and didn’t know it. If I was on my feet for extended periods of time, my legs would swell a lot. I thought maybe I need to lose some weight. When I started teaching a few years ago, I would be on my feet 6-8 hours a day. One day, I got home, and my left leg was so swollen my wife was concerned I had a blood clot. I went to the emergency room, and thankfully it was just superficial. I temporarily went on blood thinners and was recommended to see Dr. Lala. He changed my life. I’d shown my purpling ankles to GP’s. They’d seen my varicose veins. But none if them put all the signs together until I saw Dr. Lala. He diagnosed me with May-Thurner’s syndrome and recommend we put stents in my veins to prevent them from being compressed by the arteries. So we did the surgeries. Out patient procedures. My legs stopped swelling a lot. I started wearing compression socks. I had to be on blood thinners for a year, but eventually I was able to stop taking them which was great. But I still had varicose veins in my legs because they had widened from the blood pooling in them for years. I’ve had two ablations per leg since them, which closes the affected veins, and I’ve got a new lease on life. My legs feel lighter. They don’t swell nearly as much. The varicose veins have disappeared. Now, I’m lighter on my feet. I’m not lethargic. There’s a pep in my step. I have one more ablation each being scheduled. I’m thankful for Dr. Lala and his incredible team at CACVI for their diagnosis and treatment. It truly changed my life.

4 months ago Tarzana Read on Google

PAK SHIP ALL

On August 27, 2025, I had my leg Angio done with Dr. K. who is best of the best. Amazing Doctor and extremely knowledgeable. The nurse who helped me, JULIAN she has a very kind heart. She has a lot of knowledge and made me feel extremely relaxed. She went above and beyond her responsibilities. It seems God made her to be kind and caring for all the patients. I salute her and look forward to having same nurse for procedure in my other leg. I came home with a big Smile. Thank you Thank you Thank you

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Looking for the Best Varicose Vein Doctors Near You?

Living with varicose veins can make even basic activities, such as walking, feel tiring or uncomfortable. With expert care, you can improve circulation, reduce discomfort, and even prevent your condition from worsening over time.

The most effective way to treat varicose veins is through professional diagnosis and personalized treatment. With the help of a doctor, you can understand what’s causing your symptoms and start treatments that help you get back to what you love doing without discomfort.

At CACVI, our mission is to help patients regain comfort through expert vein care. Our board-certified doctors use advanced, minimally invasive treatments to safely and effectively manage varicose veins, so you can get back to living fully, without pain or worry. Take the first step toward a healthier life and schedule a consultation with the best varicose vein doctors in Los Angeles today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have questions about varicose veins? We answered some of the most common questions to address your concerns.

Do I Need to See a Doctor for Varicose Veins?

Yes, you should, especially if you’re experiencing leg pain, swelling, or skin discoloration. These symptoms may be signs of a more serious condition, like chronic venous insufficiency or even blood clots. A specially trained vein specialist can evaluate your veins and create a treatment plan to restore proper blood flow.

How to Treat Varicose Veins in Kids?

Though rare in children, they can develop varicose veins if there’s a family history of the condition. Most cases only require monitoring and healthy lifestyle changes. However, a specialist may suggest noninvasive treatments to prevent larger varicose veins from developing as the child grows.

What Is the Newest Procedure for Varicose Veins?

The latest treatments include laser ablation, radiofrequency therapy, and VenaSeal. These minimally invasive procedures close off faulty veins, allowing blood to flow more efficiently through healthier ones. They’re safer, faster, and more comfortable than traditional surgery, with quicker recovery times.

Does Insurance Cover Varicose Vein Treatment?

Your insurance will cover your vein treatment if it is deemed medically necessary. Varicose vein removal for cosmetic purposes is usually not covered. Always confirm with your provider before starting a treatment plan.

Can You Get Rid of Varicose Veins Without Surgery?

Yes, you can, especially if your varicose veins are mild to moderate. Non-surgical options like laser or radiofrequency treatments can close off damaged veins without the need for surgery. Combined with healthy habits, these can greatly reduce visible veins and prevent new ones from forming.

Schedule a personalized assessment and find out your treatment options.

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Dr. Moinakhtar Lala and Dr. Mehran J. Khorsandi of CACVI

Dr. M Lala, Dr. Mehran J. Khorsandi and Dr. V Lala

Meet Your Specialists

The Center for Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Interventions (CACVI) is led by Dr. M Lala, Dr. Khorsandi, and Dr. V Lala, who have over thirty years of practice with over 15,000 vascular and cardiac procedures performed. Our physicians are determined to provide each patient with experienced, compassionate care as they work diligently to improve your health.