Why are people more likely to have venous disease in summer?

Summer is the season when venous disease strikes! But why does hot weather increase the risk of chronic venous disease? Cyril Maurice, Servier’s Global Product Director for Chronic Venous Disease, explains how heat affects our bodies.

Cyril, can you give us a definition of venous disease? What are the signs?

Cyril Maurice: Venous insufficiency is caused by severe inflammation of the venous system in the lower parts of the body.

It is a result of poor blood circulation in the veins of the lower limbs, generally due to a malfunction of the valves in the vein walls. These valves, which resemble “flaps”, prevent blood from flowing backwards. This is why their obstruction interferes with the proper flow of blood to the heart.

Venous disease is usually recognized by a sensation of heaviness in the legs, swelling of the legs or, in more serious cases, the development of edema or varicose veins.

Why is it that heat can aggravate venous insufficiency?

C. M.: Heat induces vasodilatation of the veins, intensifying inflammation and ultimately increasing the risk of valve obstruction. That’s why, in summer, we’re more likely to develop any number of venous diseases.
Prevention measures include cooling the legs with water or taking part in physical activity to improve blood circulation.

Does venous disease affect other parts of the body?

C. M.: Although venous disease can also affect other parts of the body, it mainly affects the legs, or more precisely, the lower parts of the body.

This is largely due to an upright or standing position. Because blood has to fight against gravity, it struggles to make its way up to the heart and ends up “stagnating” in the veins of the lower limbs. That’s why, in summer, it’s particularly important to walk to get the blood circulating.

What to do when the first symptoms appear?

C. M.: When the first symptoms appear, such as heavy or painful legs, this is already a late sign of the disease. It is advisable to consult a general practitioner or a specialist (angiologist or phlebologist) to test for venous reflux and consider treatment options. All the more so during the summer, as this condition can worsen in hot weather!

Did you know?

Venous disease encompasses all vein-related problems. There are 6 stages, corresponding to visible clinical signs¹:

Stage 0: At this stage, there are no visibly perceptible signs. However, the patient may already be starting to notice a sensation of heavy legs, leg pain, and swollen legs at the end of the day.
Stage 1: Blood vessels are visible and varicose veins may appear. These are referred to as micro-varicose veins.
Stage 2: Varicose veins (spider veins) become progressively larger (around 3 millimeters).
Stage 3: Edema develops, identified by areas of swelling.
Stage 4: Dermatological signs appear, which may involve a change in skin color or texture (eczema, etc.).
Stage 5: Venous ulcers may form.
Stage 6: An acute ulcer develops.

What are the risks and complications of poor circulation?

C. M.: Venous diseases are often treated late, when symptoms first appear. However, they should not be overlooked, as long-term complications can be more serious.

Without treatment, the stagnation of blood in the lower limbs, called “stasis”, can lead to the progressive auto-aggravation of valve dysfunction. Over time, this can result in the formation of a blood clot, with the disease evolving into venous thrombosis (phlebitis) or pulmonary embolism in more serious cases.

“Aside from purely venous complications, poor blood circulation can also increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. As a matter of fact, patients in the early stages of chronic venous disease (CVD) have a 13-14% risk of cardiovascular disease over 10 years, and a 5% risk of all-cause mortality over 8 years. ²^;3 Additionally, chronic venous and vascular diseases often coexist, which can be important in understanding their pathophysiology and determining the best treatment strategy.”
Dr. Weiwei Li-Bertheau, Global Medical Lead, Servier

Key figures

50 000 – 100 000

Every year, between 50,000 and 100,000 people are diagnosed with phlebitis in France.⁴

25%-33%

Varicose veins are present in 25%-33% of female and 10%-40% of male adults.⁵

1 in 50

Around 1 in 50 adults living with varicose veins develop chronic venous insufficiency every year.⁶

[1] Medipedia (https://medipedia.be/fr/insuffisance-veineuse/symptomes/les-differents-stades-de-linsuffisance-veineuse)
[2] Vuylsteke ME, et al. Angiology. 2018;69(9):779‒785 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29482348/)
[3] Salim S, et al. Global Ann Surg. 2021;274(6):971‒976 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33214466/)
[4] Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm). Thrombose veineuse (phlébite) (https://www.inserm.fr/dossier/thrombose-veineuse-phlebite/)
[5] Management of chronic venous disorders of the lower limbs. Guidelines According to Scientific Evidence. Part I – International Angiology 2018 June;37(3):181-254 – Minerva Medica – Journals (https://www.minervamedica.it/en/journals/international-angiology/article.php?cod=R34Y2018N03A0181
[6] Cleveland clinic (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16872-chronic-venous-insufficiency-cvi)

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