Not only is poor blood circulation in the legs and feet uncomfortable, but it can cause life-threatening problems if it goes unchecked. Always seek medical assistance if you're suffering from any of the symptoms, especially if you've been diagnosed with one of the known causes of poor blood circulation.
Blood clots don't always become mobile, but it is important that you keep your circulation optimal so blood clots do not form. If you have pain, swelling, tenderness, a warm sensation, and a reddish discoloration in your legs or arms, you should seek medical attention.
Yes, unfortunately. One of the most dangerous results of poor blood circulation is blood clotting. This can cause heart attack, stroke, paralysis, organ failure, and pulmonary embolism. Any of these events might prove fatal if not caught in time.
Blood circulation can be stopped in the entire body below the heart for at least 30 minutes, with injury to the spinal cord being a limiting factor. Detached limbs may be successfully reattached after 6 hours of no blood circulation at warm temperatures. Bone, tendon, and skin can survive as long as 8 to 12 hours.
Permanent brain damage or death can occur within 4 minutes if a person's blood flow stops. Therefore, you must continue CPR until the person's heartbeat and breathing return, or trained medical help arrives.
Not only is poor blood circulation in the legs and feet uncomfortable, but it can cause life-threatening problems if it goes unchecked. Always seek medical assistance if you're suffering from any of the symptoms, especially if you've been diagnosed with one of the known causes of poor blood circulation.
How is poor circulation treated? Your provider may order medicine for you or do surgery to: Open blocked arteries (angioplasty) or go around them (bypass). Remove a blood clot (catheter-assisted thrombus removal).
Tingling and Numbness
The most common symptom of poor circulation is a feeling of numbness and tingling, which usually occurs in the extremities, such as the fingers, toes, hands and feet.
A simple, painless and noninvasive test called a duplex ultrasound can determine if you have bad circulation and the severity of the condition. Based on the severity of your condition, a vascular specialist doctor will determine the best treatment option for you.
When caught early, most conditions and diseases that lead to poor circulation can be treated. The most common conditions include obesity, diabetes, heart conditions and arterial issues. In fact, poor circulation can be a sneaky symptom of a serious vascular condition called Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).
When we spend many hours lying down, blood pools in the legs, lower volumes of blood are pumped through the body even though the heart works harder, oxygen uptake is reduced, and the risk of blood clots is increased, particularly in the legs and lungs.
But it usually affects your legs, and it's often a severe complication of peripheral artery disease (PAD). This condition is a life-threatening medical emergency that needs immediate medical attention. Without prompt care, you have a higher risk of losing your limb or dying.
New or worsening fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath.
“Those may have hopefully made you better, but if you suddenly notice a deterioration of your symptoms -- you can't walk, you're in pain -- seek emergency care. Arteries may be able to be reopened or at the very least you may need blood thinners.”
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Numbness, tingling and pain in your thigh, hips, calf, and feet can happen because hardened and narrow arteries are limiting blood flow to your muscles in your legs. Typically, people feel these symptoms when walking, climbing stairs or exercising and symptoms are relieved with rest.
Hyperventilation commonly occurs in people who have anxiety and panic attacks, and when it does occur the blood vessels constrict causing blood to flow more slowly throughout the body. This can create its own symptoms including, but not limited to: Cold and tingling hands and feet.
Poor circulation can cause pain in the legs, feet, arms, and hands. Cold hands and feet may ache or throb, especially as they start to warm and blood flow returns. Also, when the blood does not circulate correctly, oxygen and nutrients cannot reach tissues effectively, resulting in stiffness and cramping.
Vascular pain often feels like an uncomfortable heaviness or throbbing sensation. It can also feel like an aching sensation. It usually affects your legs and can be worse with walking or exerting yourself.
Without blood supply, your limbs and extremities become unsalvageable after six to eight hours. In some cases, however, enough blood can flow around the obstruction to extend that deadline.
Numbness and tingling.
These are common symptoms of poor circulation, especially in the hands and feet. A disease called Raynaud's phenomenon causes attacks that limit blood supply.
Answer: Blood travels at three feet per second when it leaves the heart, but it slows down as it gets into smaller arteries and capillaries. It takes a minute to get around the body.