Why would my vein not flow properly?

Answers from doctors (4)


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Mar 25, 2019

This is a very vague question. If you have vein problems then you should see a vein specialist for a full venous evaluation, including a venous duplex ultrasound.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

This is a very vague question. If you have vein problems then you should see a vein specialist for a full venous evaluation, including a venous duplex ultrasound.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Oct 27, 2015

I assume you are asking about leg veins? There are multiple valves in the larger veins that carry the blood up back towards the heart. If the valves are damaged (heredity, blood clots, trauma etc), the blood which is pushed up by the pump action of leg muscles will backflow, causing increased pressure in the lower legs, varicose veins, and spider veins. Symptoms such as pain, heaviness, aching, and cramping will also occur.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

I assume you are asking about leg veins? There are multiple valves in the larger veins that carry the blood up back towards the heart. If the valves are damaged (heredity, blood clots, trauma etc), the blood which is pushed up by the pump action of leg muscles will backflow, causing increased pressure in the lower legs, varicose veins, and spider veins. Symptoms such as pain, heaviness, aching, and cramping will also occur.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Oct 27, 2015

Your vein structure is designed to return blood back towards your heart. In order to do this, your veins have these one-way valves built into them that allows your body to push blood up towards your heart against gravity. Vein disease is an inherited circulation defect that gradually breaks down some of these one-way valves in your veins. A breakdown in these valves results in blood now flowing in the direction of gravity, which is back down towards the feet. The result is a net pooling of venous blood in your bad veins which, in turn, causes a circulatory congestion in the leg. The result is a "refluxing" vein.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

Your vein structure is designed to return blood back towards your heart. In order to do this, your veins have these one-way valves built into them that allows your body to push blood up towards your heart against gravity. Vein disease is an inherited circulation defect that gradually breaks down some of these one-way valves in your veins. A breakdown in these valves results in blood now flowing in the direction of gravity, which is back down towards the feet. The result is a net pooling of venous blood in your bad veins which, in turn, causes a circulatory congestion in the leg. The result is a "refluxing" vein.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Susan B Fox, D.O. RPVI, FSVM

Published on Oct 27, 2015

There are several reasons why your vein may not flow properly:

1) It could be genetics. You may have inherited vein problems from your family and the valves don't work correctly

2) A blood clot can block the vein or damage the valves in the vein and cause problems

3) Anatomical variants like May Thurner syndrome can affect the flow if the artery pushes on the vein

4) A mass could be compressing the vein from the outside

Aside from these, there could be many other causes. To get a clear diagnosis, you will need to consult and be examined by a vein specialist.

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Answered by Susan B Fox, D.O. RPVI, FSVM

There are several reasons why your vein may not flow properly:

1) It could be genetics. You may have inherited vein problems from your family and the valves don't work correctly

2) A blood clot can block the vein or damage the valves in the vein and cause problems

3) Anatomical variants like May Thurner syndrome can affect the flow if the artery pushes on the vein

4) A mass could be compressing the vein from the outside

Aside from these, there could be many other causes. To get a clear diagnosis, you will need to consult and be examined by a vein specialist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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