CVI Management: 6 Lifestyle Changes and Treatment Solutions to Improve Your Circulation

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) causes aching sensations, heaviness, and varicose veins in the legs. The disease can ultimately affect your mobility and your quality of life, so it’s important to stay proactive about CVI, its cause, and symptoms.

Sierra Pacific Surgical specializes in the surgical treatment of CVI and varicose veins. Our skilled medical team uses the latest techniques, including sclerotherapy and radiofrequency (RF) ablation, to remove damaged or enlarged veins to restore healthy blood circulation.

Surgery is typically a last-resort treatment for CVI. Ideally, you should take steps to prevent CVI from progressing, so you can protect your vascular health and avoid surgery.

Here, we outline lifestyle strategies that support healthy blood circulation and minimize your risk for varicose veins and other CVI complications.

A brief overview of CVI

CVI develops when faulty valves in the veins allow blood to flow backwards, pooling in the vessel and causing enlargement.

Valve damage can occur from blood clots or scar tissue in the veins. You may also be susceptible to CVI if you’re not active or if you sit or stand on hard surfaces for long periods.

Obesity, pregnancy, and aging also cause blood vessel changes that can damage the valves and negatively affect blood flow through the vessels.

In addition to varicose veins, untreated CVI can lead to open sores (ulcers) that may become infected. You can also experience persistent leg swelling that makes walking painful or difficult.

6 proactive tips to reduce CVI risk factors

If you have chronic venous insufficiency or are at high risk for developing it due to your age, lifestyle, or medical history, there are changes you can make in your routine to prevent the condition from worsening.

Here are six tips to better control CVI:

1.Elevate your legs

CVI-related leg swelling can be relieved and prevented by raising your legs above your heart a few times a day when resting.

2. Reduce salt intake

Follow a heart-healthy diet that’s low in sodium to prevent the buildup of fluid in your legs, ankles, and feet.

3. Eat more fiber

Fiber-rich foods like whole grains, legumes, and fresh vegetables and fruits support digestion and prevent constipation, which can put unnecessary pressure on your veins.

4. Engage in at least 30 minutes of exercise a day

Activities like cycling, swimming, and walking are important for healthy blood circulation and prevent vein damage that inactivity causes.

5. Stay hydrated

Drinking water throughout the day supports good circulation by thinning out the blood and reducing risk factors of blood clots.

6. Quit smoking for good

Smoking damages veins, which can lead to CVI. If you have CVI and still smoke, your symptoms can get progressively worse. Our team offers smoking cessation resources to help you kick the habit for good, as is important for long-term health and vitality.

Understanding your CVI treatment options

Even with lifestyle changes, CVI symptoms can disrupt your quality of life. If you have persistent leg pain or large varicose veins, our surgical experts can recommend the appropriate procedure to treat it.

We offer:

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation

Radiofrequency ablation uses radiofrequency energy to collapse varicose veins. Blood naturally moves into healthy veins nearby to restore circulation through the legs.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure where our physicians inject a chemical agent into a damaged vein. The agent shrinks the vein, leading to its collapse. Blood flows into healthy veins and your body naturally absorbs the treated vein.

Phlebectomy

Phlebectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to remove enlarged veins through small incisions.

Call Sierra Pacific Surgical today to schedule a leg vein evaluation or book a consultation online.