Inside the veins are valves, known as venous valves. These venous valves help regulate blood flow in the body. If the venous valves do not function properly, it can lead to serious side effects. This article will describe what damaged venous valves are, the function of venous valves, and the various side effects of having damaged venous valves.
The Function of Venous Valves in the Body
To understand the function of venous valves, it is first important to describe the blood circulation in the legs. The blood in the legs must be pumped back to the heart to be oxygenated, and part of this process involves the muscles in the legs and feet pressing against the blood vessels so that the blood can flow upwards towards the heart. When the blood in the legs is pumped towards the heart, it goes against gravity, and this is where the venous valves play a significant role, as they prevent the blood from flowing back between the heartbeats. Between heartbeats, the venous valves close the veins, preventing the blood from flowing downwards.
When the muscles in the legs are actively used, blood circulation improves, making the venous valves' work easier. On the other hand, if the leg muscles are not actively used, such as when standing or sitting still for long periods, blood pressure in the legs increases, and the venous valves function less effectively. Although the increased pressure in the veins can cause the vein walls to adapt since they are flexible, over time, the veins will weaken, and the venous valves will become defective, which can cause chronic venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency is another term for the vascular disease where the venous valves do not function properly. More about this will be described below.
Symptoms of Damaged Venous Valves
The venous valves located in the extremities, such as the legs, have the heaviest workload because the blood flow there has to fight against gravity. If the venous valves in the body are worn, it is usually in the legs where the problems will become most apparent.
Damaged venous valves can cause some of the following symptoms:
- Swollen ankles
- Hard muscles in the lower legs
- Restless and heavy legs
- Oedema, fluid accumulation, in the legs
Not everyone with defective venous valves will experience symptoms, and many will also get used to the condition over time.
Damaged Venous Valves and Venous Insufficiency
When the venous valves are defective or damaged, the blood in the legs will have difficulty being pumped back to the heart to be oxygenated. This can become a chronic condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. Damaged venous valves and venous insufficiency are hereditary; those with parents who have them are at high risk of being affected themselves.
Moreover, the venous valves, like the rest of the body, will wear out over time, meaning they will eventually not function as they should.
In venous insufficiency, blood will pool in the veins, causing pressure to rise to a level that can become problematic.
Methods to Reduce the Risk of Damaged Venous Valves
There are various precautions that can be taken to minimise the risk of developing damaged venous valves and venous insufficiency:
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Avoid being overweight
- Quit smoking
- Be physically active
In addition to the above, pregnancy can also increase the risk of venous valves wearing out. During pregnancy, hormone balance and body weight change, affecting blood circulation and venous valves. For many women, the condition will improve after the pregnancy, but for some, the venous valves will continue to function poorly, becoming an inconvenience in daily life.
Side Effects of Damaged Venous Valves
Venous valves that have been damaged for a long time can cause serious side effects, such as:
- Varicose veins
- Eczema
- Pigmentation
- Venous leg ulcers
- Thrombophlebitis
- Deep vein thrombosis
One of the symptoms of defective venous valves is varicose veins, and if you have varicose veins, this condition can worsen if the varicose veins are not treated. Severe varicose veins can cause eczema and pigmentation on the lower leg, which in more severe cases can develop into venous leg ulcers that can be difficult to heal. In very severe cases of varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, superficial blood clots, or deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in a deeper vein, can occur, and this is serious.
Treatment of Damaged Venous Valves
The goal of treating venous diseases, i.e., treating damaged venous valves and venous insufficiency, is to reduce or eliminate symptoms and minimise further complications that can lead to serious illness.
It is not possible to treat damaged venous valves on your own, but it is possible to reduce or minimise the problems caused by damaged venous valves.
Venous Pump Exercises: To improve blood circulation in the legs, it is a good idea to perform venous pump exercises. This can be done either sitting or standing while at work, sitting in front of the TV at home, and in other places. Venous pump exercises help blood flow in the right direction and are good exercises to do when you have defective venous valves.
Support Stockings: If you suffer from venous insufficiency or damaged venous valves, support stockings are one of the most common forms of treatment. A support stocking helps to apply pressure to the veins to improve blood flow in the legs.
Summary - Damaged Venous Valves
In the veins in the legs, we have venous valves that help regulate blood flow so that the blood flows in the right direction when it goes towards the heart to be oxygenated. If these valves are worn or damaged, the pressure in the veins will become too high, leading to various side effects. Defective venous valves can become a chronic condition, partly genetically predisposed, and the condition is called venous insufficiency. If you suffer from damaged venous valves or venous insufficiency, it can lead to varicose veins, which can cause discomfort and become a limitation in daily life.
Failure to treat varicose veins can lead to more severe consequences such as venous leg ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
It is not possible to treat the damaged venous valves, but it is possible to improve the condition and symptoms of venous insufficiency by performing venous pump exercises and wearing support stockings, for example.
