What is a common characteristic of chronic wounds?

Chronic wounds are typically defined by their prolonged healing time, often persisting for longer than three months. This characteristic is fundamental in distinguishing chronic wounds from acute wounds, which usually heal within a standard timeframe. The extended duration of healing in chronic wounds may result from various underlying factors, such as poor circulation, underlying health conditions (like diabetes), or persistent pressure.

The other options highlight features that are not typically associated with chronic wounds. Rapid healing is characteristic of acute wounds, while regular swelling and redness could indicate an inflammatory response, which is more common in acute conditions. The development of new blood vessels, or angiogenesis, may occur in healing wounds but does not solely define a chronic wound's characteristic, as it can take place in both chronic and acute wound healing processes as part of their healing response.