My Health Partner Logo
Home / Chronic venous disease / Heavy, painful legs?
Living with Chronic venous disease
You can find all the necessary information to understand Chronic Venous Disease (CVD), its global impact, its causes and consequences, and how to get Chronic Venous Disease (CVD) under control.
Chronic venous disease

Heavy, painful legs?

painful legs cvd illustration
Legs that feel heavy, painful and swollen can be a result of a build up of fluid in the legs due to the blood not circulating as well as it should. This increased fluid leads to the symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), a condition affecting leg vein health that worsens over time.1

What is poor blood circulation

Venous valve
Blood flow
Veins with normal reflux

Healthy veins

Healthy veins have small valves which prevent blood flowing backwards.
Venous valve
Blood flow
Veins with normal reflux

Unhealthy veins

When the internal walls of the veins are damaged, and these valves don’t work as they should, blood can flow back into the veins, resulting in pooling in the lower leg and leading to uncomfortable symptoms that can worsen over time.

Symptoms of poor blood circulation

A range of signs and symptoms can point to poor blood flow in the legs. If you’ve been experiencing any of the following symptoms in your legs or ankles you should seek treatment as they can worsen over time.1,2
Heavy, painful or swollen Legs
Tired Legs
Cramping or Leg pain
Spider or Varicose veins
looks familiar cvd

Looks familiar?

If you regularly suffer from at least one of these symptoms, start the self-assessment quiz and use your result to help guide your next steps.

Treat Your Symptoms Early

Heavy, painful legs and swelling can be early symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Left untreated, these symptoms can increase in severity, leading to spider veins, varicose veins, and leg ulcers. The different stages of Chronic Venous Disease are described as grades C0s-C6 depending on the severity of the symptoms as shown here:

Stage 1

Heavy, Painful Legs

hover icon

Learn more

Stage 1

close icon

The first stage, with no visible signs of venous disease.

Go Back

Stage 2

Spider/Reticular Veins

hover icon

Learn more

Stage 2

close icon

The first stage, with no visible signs of venous disease. However, damage may already be starting to accumulate inside the vein. This leads to venous reflux and is why you should start treating, even if your only symptoms are heavy and painful legs.

Go Back

Stage 3

Visible varicose veins

hover icon

Learn more

Stage 3

close icon

The first stage, with no visible signs of venous disease. However, damage may already be starting to accumulate inside the vein. This leads to venous reflux and is why you should start treating, even if your only symptoms are heavy and painful legs.

Go Back

Stage 4

Swelling of the ankle and leg

hover icon

Learn more

Stage 4

close icon

The first stage, with no visible signs of venous disease. However, damage may already be starting to accumulate inside the vein. This leads to venous reflux and is why you should start treating, even if your only symptoms are heavy and painful legs.

Go Back

Stage 5

Skin changes

hover icon

Learn more

Stage 5

close icon

The first stage, with no visible signs of venous disease. However, damage may already be starting to accumulate inside the vein. This leads to venous reflux and is why you should start treating, even if your only symptoms are heavy and painful legs.

Go Back

Stage 6

Healed ulcers

hover icon

Learn more

Stage 6

close icon

The first stage, with no visible signs of venous disease. However, damage may already be starting to accumulate inside the vein. This leads to venous reflux and is why you should start treating, even if your only symptoms are heavy and painful legs.

Go Back

Stage 7

Active ulcers

hover icon

Learn more

Stage 7

close icon

The first stage, with no visible signs of venous disease. However, damage may already be starting to accumulate inside the vein. This leads to venous reflux and is why you should start treating, even if your only symptoms are heavy and painful legs.

Go Back

Important

Only the doctor can advise you regarding your diagnosis and treatment.

*s: symptomatic

By recognising the symptoms and taking action, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of your condition progressing and lessen the impact on your day-to-day life.

Find a doctor near your location

Risk factors of Hemorrhoidal Disease

There are several key risk factors for Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), some of which may be beyond your control, but others you can take steps to modify.3

Women are typically more at risk, and a family history, as well as simply growing older can increase your chances of developing symptoms.

Age

Gender

Heredity

Pregnancy

Height

Unbalanced Diet

Lifestyle factors you can take steps to negate, such as being overweight and inactive, can also increase your risk of developing problems with your veins. Those who stand or sit as part of their occupations, such as nurses, teachers and those in the service industry, are particularly at risk.

Show references

References

1
Guidelines according to scientific evidence. Part I. Int Angiol. 2018;37(3):181-254.1 Bergan JJ et al. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:488-4981.
2
Adapted from Nicolaides A, Kakkos S, Baekgaard N, et al. Management of chronic venous disorders of the lower limbs.
My health partner logo
My Health Partner provide personalized, certified, and updated content for patients with multiple cardiovascular risks to have a healthier life. Follow our daily activities and recipes to reduce your risk of cardiovascular events.

Diseases

Living better

General information

Developed and approved by experts : Therapeutic aera experts, patient organizations and nutritionists.
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Some of the illustrations used on the site are from Storyset
Last modified date: 3/23/2023
Servier logo
Servier logo
Report a side effect with a Servier drug