Venous stasis due to immobility primarily affects which body system?

• A. Cardiovascular
• B. Nervous
• C. Endocrine
• D. Digestive

Answer: (A)

Venous stasis from immobilization primarily disrupts the circulatory system. When the leg muscles aren’t contracting, the muscle pump that helps push blood back to the heart isn’t working, so blood pools in the veins—especially in the legs. This slows venous return, raises venous pressure, and promotes clot formation (venous thromboembolism). That direct consequence is a circulatory issue, making the cardiovascular system the primary body system affected. (If a clot travels to the lungs, it also involves the pulmonary circulation, but the initiating problem remains venous pooling in the cardiovascular system.) Virchow’s triad notes stasis as a key factor contributing to thrombosis, reinforcing why this is a vascular/circulatory concern.