If your legs feel swollen, heavy, or tired by the end of the day, you’re not alone. Chronic venous insufficiency & venous disease statistics show these symptoms affect millions of adults every year.
Here, we’re diving into the latest data on chronic venous disease prevalence, risk factors, complications, treatment outcomes, and more, so you can understand the condition and recognize when it’s time to seek care.
If chronic venous insufficiency is affecting your comfort or mobility, Delaware Advanced Vein Center offers minimally invasive spider vein and varicose vein treatments led by Dr. Anthony Alfieri, a cardiologist and vein specialist with 30+ years of healthcare experience.
Ready to move through your day with less pain? Book your consultation today.
The Prevalence of Chronic Venous Disease & Chronic Venous Insufficiency
How many people in the United States have chronic venous disease?
Chronic venous disease (CVD) affects an estimated 190 million people in the United States.
How common is chronic venous disease compared to cardiovascular disease and diabetes?
Chronic venous disease affects 1.5 times as many people as all cardiovascular diseases combined and five times more people than diabetes.
What is the global prevalence of chronic venous disease?
According to a study conducted among individuals with CVD in 8 countries, the global prevalence of CVD is as follows:
| Country | Chronic Venous Disease Prevalence (2020) |
| Russia | 37% |
| United States | 35% |
| Romania | 25% |
| Italy | 24% |
| Czech Republic | 21% |
| Brazil | 19% |
| Spain | 19% |
| Hungary | 18% |
| France | 14% |
How common is chronic venous insufficiency in the United States?
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) affects an estimated 10% to 35% of adults in the United States.
How many adults in the U.S. have chronic venous insufficiency?
An estimated 25 million adults in the United States have some form of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and around 6 million experience more advanced stages of the disease.
How many people are diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency each year?
Nearly 150,000 people are diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency each year.
Chronic Venous Disease by Age, Sex & Occupation
How common is chronic venous disease in women over 40?
Studies show that 70% of women exhibit signs of chronic venous disease by age 40.
At what age does chronic venous disease become more severe?
Age is the leading risk factor for chronic venous disease (CVD). Research shows a significant increase in severe forms of chronic venous disease after age 50.
How common is chronic venous insufficiency in men and women?
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is generally more common in women than men. Studies estimate that CVI affects 1% to 17% of men and 1% to 40% of women, depending on the diagnostic criteria used.
What percentage of chronic venous insufficiency patients are women?
Women account for approximately 60% to 70% of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) cases.
What percentage of healthcare workers show signs of chronic venous insufficiency?
One study found that 69% of hospital employees showed clinical signs of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
Chronic Venous Insufficiency Risk Factors
Are other chronic health conditions more common in people with chronic venous disease?
Yes, people with chronic venous disease (CVD) may have higher rates of several other health conditions compared to the general population, including:
- Psoriasis: 8% of people with CVD vs. 5% of the general population
- Asthma: 10% vs. 7%
- Hemorrhoids: 28% vs. 15%
- Hypertension: 37% vs. 25%
- Depression: 26% vs. 15%
- Allergy: 37% vs. 23%
- Diabetes: 12% vs. 8%
What are the biggest risk factors for chronic venous insufficiency?
The biggest risk factors for chronic venous insufficiency include:
- Age 55 or older
- Family history of varicose veins or vein disease
- Obesity
- Oral contraceptive use
- Tobacco use
- Pregnancy
- History of deep vein thrombosis or thrombophlebitis
- Previous leg injury
- Prolonged standing or sitting
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Female sex
Venous Ulcers and Complications
How common are leg ulcers worldwide?
Lower leg ulceration affects approximately 1% to 2% of the global adult population.
How many people have venous ulcers in the U.S.?
In 2025, more than 2 million people in the U.S. suffered from venous ulcers.
How common are venous ulcers in the United States?
Venous ulcers, a common complication of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), affect approximately 1% to 3% of people in the United States.
How common are venous ulcers in adults over 65?
About 4% of adults aged 65 or older develop venous ulcers.
How many chronic venous ulcer patients develop phlebitis?
Nearly 60% of chronic venous ulcer patients develop phlebitis, and this vein inflammation progresses to deep vein thrombosis in more than 50% of affected patients.
How Chronic Venous Insufficiency Affects Daily Life
How many CVI patients say venous ulcers affect work and daily activities?
Among patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), 42% reported that venous ulcers interfered with work and leisure activities to a moderate or severe degree.
How many CVI patients experience limited mobility because of venous ulcers?
11% of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) patients reported that they experienced limited mobility as a result of venous ulcers.
How many working age adults miss work because of chronic venous insufficiency complications?
Among working adults with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), 10.4% reported missing work due to CVI-related complications.
How many people with chronic venous disease stop treatment early?
The same 2020 study found that 63% of patients stopped treatment after completing only one or two steps in the recommended treatment pathway.
The Cost of Treating Chronic Venous Disease
How much does chronic venous insufficiency treatment cost each year?
Globally, nearly $500 million per year is spent on the care of chronic venous insufficiency patients.
How much of U.S. healthcare spending goes toward treating chronic venous insufficiency?
Management of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) accounts for approximately 2% of total healthcare costs in the United States.
Available Treatments and Success Rates
What is the success rate of radiofrequency ablation for incompetent veins?
Radiofrequency ablation has an 85% success rate for incompetent veins after two years, based on complete vein closure, also known as obliteration.
What is the success rate of laser therapy for incompetent veins?
Laser therapy is highly effective for treating incompetent veins. Studies using 810 nm and 940 nm diode lasers found that 93% of patients achieved complete saphenous vein closure (obliteration) two years after treatment.
What is the success rate of thermal ablation for chronic venous insufficiency?
Thermal ablation is highly effective for treating chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). More than 90% of patients report symptom relief and improved quality of life after treatment.
Ready to Walk Comfortably and Love Your Legs Again?
You don’t have to keep planning your day around leg pain, swelling, or fatigue.
Dr. Anthony Alfieri provides minimally invasive vein treatments to improve circulation, relieve symptoms, and help you get back to walking comfortably and enjoying life.
Relief starts with your first appointment.
Sources
- Shivik K. Patel. “Venous Insufficiency.” January 31, 2026. National Library of Medicine.
- Servier. “Venous disease: when the circulatory system is affected.” March 14, 2025.
- Eberhard Rabe. “The prevalence, disease characteristics and treatment of chronic venous disease: an international web-based survey.” October 20, 2020. Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research.
- The Sage Group. “Chronic Venous Disease (CVD) Epidemiology, Prevalence, Incidence and Progression.”
- The Sage Group. “According to THE SAGE GROUP, The Current United States Prevalence of Chronic Venous Disease (CVD) Exceeds 190 Million. The Most Severe Stage, Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), Afflicts Over 50 Million.” July 18, 2025.
- Cardiovascular Health Clinic. “How Common is Chronic Venous Insufficiency.” July 25, 2025.
- Young Kim. “Defining the human and health care costs of chronic venous insufficiency.” March 2021. ScienceDirect.