What Are Leaky Veins in the Legs?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 06, 2023

Leaky leg veins, which also is referred to as chronic venous insufficiency, occurs when valves in leg veins are damaged, causing blood to leak backwards because they cannot pump sufficient blood up to the heart. The Cleveland Clinic explains that valve damage may occur due to the aging process, inactivity or prolonged periods of either sitting or standing.

some other causes of chronic venous insufficiency can be hypertension, a blood clot in a deep vein and inflammation in a vein, relates John Hopkins Medicine. Some symptoms of this condition are the formation of varicose veins, leg ulcers and pain. Once diagnosed, the condition can be treated with diuretics, sclerotherapy and possible surgical repair of either the affected valve or vein.