• Swelling

• Calf heaviness

• Pain, numbness

• Leg cramps

• Cold sensation

• Warm sensation

• Restlessness, tingling

• Itching, eczema

• Cold feet

• Pigmentation

• Ulcers

• Bulging veins

62% of first-time patients at our foot clinic have chronic venous insufficiency (swelling).

There are causes of leg swelling that originate from the entire body and those that are specific to the legs. Why does a heart specialty hospital treat foot issues? This is because the cause of leg swelling can often not be immediately determined by examining only the legs and can involve multiple factors. Our strength lies in our ability to comprehensively examine both aspects to find the true cause and appropriate treatment.

Consider the Circulation of Blood in the Body

First, the heart pumps blood through the arteries to the feet. After delivering oxygen and nutrients to the tissues in the feet, the blood returns to the heart through the veins.

For venous blood to return to the heart, several mechanisms must function properly:

• One-way valves in the veins

• Calf muscles

• Suction effect of the inferior vena cava during the respiratory cycle

• Active suction effect of the right heart

• Forces pulling blood into the vessels

These mechanisms work against gravity to send blood back to the heart.

It is clear that the heart, arteries, and veins work together to circulate blood.

When These Mechanisms Fail

• One-way valves in the veins – malfunction (leading to varicose veins)

• Calf muscles (standing or sitting for long periods)

• Suction effect of the inferior vena cava during the respiratory cycle (thin upper body)

• Active suction effect of the right heart (decreased heart function)

• Forces pulling blood into the vessels (inflammation, hypoproteinemia)

These issues can lead to leg swelling (chronic venous insufficiency).

Three Major Causes of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

• Varicose veins

• Functional venous insufficiency

• Post-thrombotic syndrome

Three Major Causes of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Let’s discuss each of these three causes in detail.

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