Who does poor circulation affect? People who are older than age 40, are overweight, have diabetes and don't get much exercise are more likely to have poor circulation.
If you're over age 40, you have diabetes, you're overweight, or you're inactive, you're at risk of experiencing poor circulation. If you have symptoms of poor circulation, it's important to choose a provider with the knowledge and experience to treat you and guide you on a journey to better health.
When blood flow is reduced, common side effects begin to show. Poor circulation can be a result of old age or signal other health-related issues, such as obesity and diabetes. If you are wondering, “how does poor circulation affect the body?” read the signs below.
The main artery from the heart (aorta) becomes thicker, stiffer, and less flexible. This is probably related to changes in the connective tissue of the blood vessel wall. This makes the blood pressure higher and makes the heart work harder, which may lead to thickening of the heart muscle (hypertrophy).
Poor circulation is a common feeling that affects millions of people every year. It can range from something as benign as your leg falling asleep after sitting for a long time to something life-threatening, such as a blood clot.
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.
Natural changes happen in the body as we age, such as skin damage from sun exposure, loss of muscle and physical strength, loss of some sight and hearing, as well as changes to our sleep patterns, energy levels and appetite.
Electrocardiogram. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. The ECG reflects what's happening in different areas of the heart and helps identify any problems with the rhythm or rate of your heart. The ECG is painless and takes around 5-10 minutes to perform.
Poor circulation leading to a lack of oxygen reaching your vital organs, including the brain and the heart, can have serious consequences. The danger to your mental, as well as your physical, health cannot be overemphasized.
Professional treatment is the answer to fix poor circulation and can help lower your risk of developing chronic varicose or spider veins.
Anxiety can cause changes to the heart rate and blood circulation. A faster heart rate makes it easier to flee or fight, while increased blood flow brings fresh oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. When blood vessels narrow, this is called vasoconstriction, and it can affect body temperature.
Increase physical activity
Regular cardiovascular exercise, such as jogging, supports the circulatory system's health and improves circulation. A 2018 study notes that regular cardiovascular exercise is associated with improved cardiovascular performance and lower blood pressure.
Green and black teas are packed with antioxidants that help protect the body from free radicals, which can lead to heart disease. Additionally, ginger tea has been found to improve blood flow as a natural vasodilator, widening blood vessels and enhancing blood flow.
Being dehydrated can cause your blood volume to decrease, forcing your body to work much harder to circulate blood around the body. As a result, when your body struggles to circulate blood it can lead to an array of issues, including aching legs, swollen feet and ankles, and tingling in the legs and feet.
First degree relatives can give you the strongest sense of how you'll age, since genes direct the cellular functions that have an enormous impact on appearance. "We inherit the rate at which our cells turn over, how quickly damage is repaired, and how much collagen is produced," says Shamban.
From around the age of 25 the first signs of aging start to become apparent on the surface of the skin. Fine lines appear first and wrinkles, a loss of volume and a loss of elasticity become noticeable over time.
The B vitamin group is made up of 8 nutrients. These vitamins are essential for forming red blood cells, fighting infections, and even neurological health. One of these, in particular, vitamin B3, can help people improve blood circulation. Also called niacin, B3 reduces inflammation and bad cholesterol.
Bedridden patients who spend much of their day lying in bed are at risk of developing medical conditions associated with poor circulation. Our circulatory system works best when we're upright and moving.
People with poor circulation may notice their feet feel cold or numb. They may also notice discoloration. The feet may turn red, blue, purple, or white. These symptoms may worsen in certain situations, such as when a person sits still for long periods of time or goes outside in cold weather.