While for many the problem may only amount to an occasional annoying discomfort, those with risk factors beyond long hours of standing may face severe pain, ulceration, surgery, and disability. As with so many other problems, the risk of CVI escalates with age. Women are more commonly affected than men and susceptibility is strongly associated with heredity as well as obesity. Higher estrogen levels via pregnancy, oral contraception, and hormone replacement therapy are associated with a greater incidence of CVI, so at least twice as many women as men suffer such leg problems. Crossing the legs creates mechanical pressure on veins that can exacerbate the situation radically.
Prevention is far easier and generally more effective than remedial measures.
Thus, the common sense measures of avoiding long periods of stasis, not crossing the legs, watching one s weight, and getting some regular exercise as simple as walking should not only be basic recommendations for the CVI patient, but for the pharmacist as well. Pathophysiology Venous Tone Moving venous blood from the capillaries back up to the heart and lungs for reoxygenation and recirculation against the pull of gravity in a standing position is no small task. Without the benefit of arterial pressure to push it along, blood must rely on the valves of the leg veins to force it upward. As the skeletal muscles in the leg contract through movement, the veins are constricted, forcing the blood up beyond the one-way valves that preclude digression once the muscles relax. Barring congenital lack or failure of proper valve function, the process normally works well and is impaired by the various risk factors discussed above.