Blood is transported throughout the body through both arteries and veins, but a significant difference between the two is the presence of valves in veins. Some people develop chronic venous disease (CVD), which initially causes higher venous blood pressure and vein dilation, resulting in weakened vein valves. What do you predict would happen as the valve damage progresses?

Question

anonymous · Answer

A. Blood flow would increase through the veins since the blood would not be impeded by valves.
B. Blood would leak backwards through the damaged valves due to gravity, causing lower leg swelling.
C. Veins would carry a both oxygenated and deoxygenated blood away from the legs, causing oxygen deficiency.
D. Veins would thicken and constrict, causing a restriction in blood flow, and leading to arterial leakage.

anonymous · Answer

Well, the vein valves function to help prevent blood flow from going back down to the feet, circulating blood in a one-way direction going up. The most common side-effect of CVD is swelling and pain in the legs. You can derive the answer from this.