Circulation of blood flow starts with the heart. The heart propels (pushes) blood flow through the arteries where cellular metabolism occurs constantly. Secondly, contractions of the heart helps promote venous and lymphatic blood flow back to the heart for recirculation.
In addition, the act of walking initiates contractions of the calf muscle which further propels venous and lymphatic blood directionally through the semi-lunar valves to the heart for recirculation. During non-walking periods, the calf muscle relaxes, the semi-lunar valves close, and the venous blood and lymphatic fluids are prevented from flowing in a reverse direction.
Occupations involving long hours of standing, pregnancy, obesity, and the formation of a clot (deep vein thrombosis) can cause the valves to become damaged or incompetent. It’s at this point when the valves are incompetent that venous reflux which leads to venous and lymphatic hypertension and eventually edema, lymphedema, and possibly stasis ulcers.
Valvular incompetence is better known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Who suffers with CVI?
- More women suffer with CVI due to the effects of pregnancy
- 76% of individuals with valvular incompetence experience repeat episodes of CVI
- 40% of individuals having experienced a blood clot (DVT) suffer with CVI