chronic venous insufficiency

noun

: a condition in which the flow of blood from the legs to the heart is impaired chiefly as a result of weakened or damaged valves in the veins of the legs and that is characterized especially by edema, pain, and discoloration in the lower legs
Left untreated, chronic venous insufficiency can progress to painful ulcers and limit mobility, yet many patients delay care because symptoms may seem like a normal part of aging.Sara Berg
Venous disease in general is very common. For example, varicose veins affect about 1 in 3 adults. Each year, about 1 in 50 adults with varicose veins go on to develop chronic venous insufficiency.Cleveland Clinic
abbreviation CVI

Examples of chronic venous insufficiency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He was later examined in July and diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency after displaying visible swelling in his lower legs near his ankles. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 12 May 2026 The White House acknowledged last year that Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026 He’s also been seen with swollen ankles, which could be attributed to chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition in elderly people the White House revealed last year Trump had been diagnosed with. Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chronic venous insufficiency was in 1943

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chronic venous insufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20venous%20insufficiency. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster