Poor circulation refers to reduced blood flow throughout the body or to specific areas of the body. It occurs when there is a disorder in the circulatory system.
The circulatory system includes the heart and blood vessels that flow throughout the body. When the heart pumps blood into blood vessels, including arteries and veins, nutrients and oxygen are delivered to every cell in the body. Sometimes something like a blood clot can interfere with the circulatory system, preventing blood from flowing normally.
Poor blood circulation can cause various symptoms. Symptoms, severity, and how quickly they occur depend on the cause of the circulation problem. Common symptoms include pain when walking or exercising, which is called “claudication.”
One of the most common symptoms associated with poor circulation is lower body pain, known as intermittent claudication. The pain is usually caused by muscle cramps in the calf, thigh, buttocks, or buttocks during exercise. It disappears after rest.
Other common symptoms of poor circulation include:
- Tingling, stiffness, or pressure in your legs
- fatigue or weakness
- cold feet or legs
Poor circulation may be caused by conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels. How poor circulation affects you may depend on your underlying medical condition. Some conditions that can cause poor circulation and symptoms you may experience include:
atherosclerosis
atherosclerosis This is a condition in which plaque, a sticky substance, builds up inside the arteries. Plaques are formed by substances in the blood, such as cholesterol, fat, and blood cells, and cause narrowing of the arteries. These narrowings can reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood to vital organs, affecting their function.
The atherosclerosis symptoms you experience will depend on the affected artery and the degree or severity of the blockage. Common symptoms that may occur due to poor circulation associated with atherosclerosis include:
- chest pain or pressure
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Pain or cramps in your legs during physical activity
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as mini-stroke
- Severe pain after eating, symptoms of narrowing of the small intestine artery (mesenteric artery ischemia)
peripheral artery disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the arms and legs become narrowed or blocked. This is often a result of atherosclerosis. PAD usually causes pain in the legs during physical activity, such as walking, and improves with rest.
Other symptoms of poor circulation due to PAD include:
- muscle weakness
- skin that is cool to the touch
- Weak or no pulse in the feet
- Leg or foot sores (ulcers)
- If your toes are cold or numb when touched
varicose veins
Varicose veins are twisted, swollen veins that appear just under the skin. This can happen if the vein walls and valves (the valves that open and close to regulate blood flow to the heart) are weak or damaged. Blood may not flow normally and may clump or backflow. Increased blood causes the veins to enlarge and varicose veins to develop.
Varicose veins can appear in various parts of the body, but they most commonly occur in the legs. People who develop varicose veins due to poor blood circulation may experience the following symptoms:
- Severe itching, burning, or discomfort around the affected vein
- Changes in skin color around the affected veins
- Leg swelling that makes your legs and feet feel heavy
- your legs hurt or hurt
- Leg cramps that get worse at night
blood clot
Blood clotting helps stop bleeding when blood vessels are damaged. However, if a blood clot forms abnormally inside a vein, it can block blood flow to the heart. Symptoms may occur if blood collects behind a clot and may vary depending on the location of the clot.
Blood clots, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), can develop in major veins throughout the body. DVT most commonly affects the legs, but can also occur in the arms, pelvis, or other areas with large veins. Symptoms of DVT include:
- edema
- Pain or tenderness in the affected area
- Warm, red or discolored skin near the affected area
If a blood clot travels to the lungs, a pulmonary embolism may occur. When the arteries in the lungs become blocked, this is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism include:
Raynaud's phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition in which blood vessels in the hands and feet narrow and blood flow decreases. This usually affects the fingers and toes, but can sometimes occur in other areas, such as the ears or nose.
Recurrences of Raynaud's disease are often triggered by exposure to cold temperatures or emotional stress. In some cases, Raynaud's disease has no known cause. In other cases, conditions such as autoimmune diseases, including lupus, can cause blood vessels to narrow.
Raynaud's flare symptoms typically occur in three stages:
- The skin in the affected area becomes paler as blood flow decreases.
- The skin becomes cold and numb. Light skin may appear bluish, and dark skin may appear darker than usual.
- Improved blood circulation may cause your skin to swell, tingle, or burn. The skin returns to its original color. In mild cases, the skin may first turn red.
diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses food as a source of energy. Normally, the body breaks down food into glucose (sugar) and releases glucose into the bloodstream. This causes the pancreas to secrete insulin, which helps glucose enter cells and be used for energy. In people with diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively. This causes excess sugar to enter the bloodstream.
If blood sugar continues to be outside the normal range, blood vessels and nerves may be damaged, resulting in poor blood circulation.
Poor circulation in diabetes can cause leg pain that usually improves with rest (intermittent claudication). Ulcers may develop that do not heal or heal slowly.
Children with congenital heart defects may have poor circulation if it occurs when the heart or blood vessels are not fully developed before birth. Structural differences can affect how the heart works, including the amount of blood that flows through the heart to the rest of the body.
Congenital heart defects do not always have a clear cause. About 1% of babies born each year have a heart-related congenital defect. Most of these children grow up to live full lives, but they may have some limitations in physical activity.
Discoloration of the skin, lips, or nails (such as a blue tint on light skin) is one sign of poor circulation due to a congenital heart defect. Another symptom may be rapid or difficulty breathing.
It is important to see your health care provider if you notice any symptoms that may be due to poor circulation. The underlying cause of poor circulation can be serious and may require treatment, so getting prompt attention can help you get the treatment you need and prevent complications.
Please consider scheduling a visit if any of the following occur:
- persistent, unusual swelling of the extremities
- Chronic numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
- Persistent cold sensation in the extremities, especially if the extremities are pale, blue, or discolored
- Ulcers or sores on the feet or legs that do not heal
- Severe, unexplained fatigue
- Noticeable changes in cognitive abilities, such as memory or concentration
- Sudden, severe leg pain that does not improve with rest
Poor circulation means poor blood flow to certain parts of the body. This is usually caused by an underlying condition such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, or Raynaud's phenomenon. Symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause of poor circulation, including tingling, stiffness, and pressure in the legs. fatigue or weakness; And cold extremities are common.
Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms such as severe leg pain, chronic numbness, unusual swelling, or a wound that does not heal. This may indicate a serious underlying health problem that requires prompt attention.