Name a common sign of chronic venous insufficiency.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when the veins in the legs are unable to adequately return blood to the heart, often leading to various symptoms over time. One of the hallmark signs of this condition is leg swelling or edema. This occurs due to fluid accumulation in the tissues, primarily caused by the increased venous pressure. When the veins fail to effectively pump blood back towards the heart, fluid leaks from the vessels into the surrounding tissues, resulting in noticeable swelling.

While other symptoms such as leg pain during exercise, cold feet, and skin discoloration can be associated with vascular issues, they do not specifically characterize chronic venous insufficiency as directly and distinctly as leg swelling does. For instance, leg pain during exercise is more often related to arterial insufficiency rather than venous issues, and cold feet can indicate several circulatory problems, not solely venous insufficiency. Skin discoloration may occur due to chronic venous hypertension but is generally a later sign, while edema often appears earlier and more prominently. Thus, leg swelling serves as a primary and recognizable symptom of chronic venous insufficiency.