What it means
The amount of blood coming back to the right side of the heart. It decides how much the heart can pump out next (cardiac outputKAR-dee-ak OWT-putThe amount of blood the heart pumps out in one minute.Full entry ). Leg muscles squeezing the veins as a person walks, one-way valves in the veins and breathing all push blood back toward the heart. Standing still, dehydration, bleeding and pressure on the inferior vena cavain-FEER-ee-er VEE-nuh KAY-vuhThe large vein that carries blood from the lower body back to the right atrium of the heart.inferior lowervena veincava hollowFull entry lower it.
For the nurse
Compression stockings, sequential compression devices, leg exercises, walking and raising the legs help venous return and lower the risk of clots. Raising the legs can also help a client who feels faint.
At a glance
| Spanish | retorno venoso |
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Related terms
deep vein thrombosis
A blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis.
cardiac output
The amount of blood the heart pumps out in one minute.
vein
A blood vessel that carries blood back toward the heart.
inferior vena cava
The large vein that carries blood from the lower body back to the right atrium of the heart.
superior vena cava
The large vein that carries blood from the head, neck, arms and upper chest back to the right atrium of the heart.