Symptoms and complications from CVI may include:

• Lower extremity pain
• Swelling
• Heaviness after prolonged standing

Complications include:

• Superficial thrombophlebitis
  
• Acute bleeding in one of the thinned wall varices
• Eczema
  
• Skin ulceration
  

Varicose veins are defined as “subcutaneous” veins in the lower extremities dilated to >3mm in diameter in the upright position. More often their appearance may be alarming but they are benign and treatment is sometimes done for aesthetic reasons.