What is the function of veins?
You have two types of blood vessels that circulate blood throughout your body. Arteries carry blood away from the heart while veins channel blood back to the heart. Leg veins have one-way valves which open and close to maintain unidirectional blood flow to the heart. However, if the valves do not function accordingly, then blood does not flow efficiently. If the valves do not close properly then blood gravitates down the leg when the patient is in the sitting and standing positions. This reversal of blood flow, known as “reflux”, may cause signs and symptoms of venous disease.
