Your body depends on your heart and blood vessels to transport oxygen and nutrients to your muscles, skin and organs. Poor circulation can restrict this supply, leading to cold hands and feet, numbness or sores that take a long time to heal.
Circulation problems occur when obstacles limit normal blood flow. These obstacles can be in your arteries, veins or lymphatic system.
Causes
We’ve all had a leg “fall asleep” after sitting or standing too long, but persistent numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation in your hands, feet and toes may indicate restricted blood flow. It’s your body’s way of telling you that it’s not getting enough oxygen and nutrients to these areas, says Harvard Health. If these symptoms persist, it’s important to talk with a doctor because poor circulation can lead to serious complications.
Good circulation is the result of a complex network of arteries, veins and capillaries that work like a highway system to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your cells and carry away waste. But problems can develop when obstacles or narrowing of the vessels limit that flow. That can happen over time, especially in the parts of your body farthest from your heart, such as your fingers and toes, or because of certain medical conditions or lifestyle choices. These include smoking, high blood pressure and cholesterol, being overweight, diabetes, and Raynaud’s disease.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent circulatory problems. Getting regular exercise, not smoking, avoiding too much salt and maintaining a healthy weight are good for your circulatory health. Hot baths and saunas can also help open your blood vessels, but check with your doctor before you try them. They’ll let you know if this is safe for you.
Symptoms
Symptoms of poor circulation vary by individual, but can include cold hands and feet, a pins-and-needles feeling in your legs and feet, and persistent pain in the legs or feet that gets worse with activity. Depending on the severity, symptoms can progress to serious problems like chronic sores that can lead to infection and amputation.
Arteries are designed to handle high-pressure blood flow, but when they get clogged with a waxy buildup known as plaque or narrow from atherosclerosis, it affects how well your body can circulate. That can mean that even small cuts and scrapes take longer to heal, warns CA Heart & Vein Specialists and Texas Vascular Institute, or that the skin in certain areas becomes paler and brittle.
A blood clot can block your circulation and cause pain in your legs or a dangerous condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood clots in your leg can break free and travel to your lungs, causing a deadly pulmonary embolism. Varicose veins, which develop when the valves in the veins start to degrade and the vein walls become weakened, can also be a sign of poor circulation.
Because the circulatory system is so important, it’s worth taking any discomfort seriously. A vascular surgeon can assess your circulation and recommend lifestyle changes, medication or minimally invasive procedures that fit your needs. Early treatment helps keep minor problems from becoming major ones and keeps you moving with fewer complications.
Treatment
The heart, arteries, veins and capillaries form a complex network that delivers blood, oxygen and nutrients to your entire body. Circulation problems happen when something limits normal flow. They usually start in the parts of your body farthest from the heart, like your fingers and toes. You might notice a cold sensation in these areas, or have pain, tingling and numbness. You may also have dry skin or brittle nails, and your wounds might not heal as quickly. More serious symptoms can include a clot (deep vein thrombosis) or varicose veins, which are weakened, bulging veins that look purple or blue under the skin.
Your doctor can diagnose circulation problems with a physical exam and tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan. Your doctor might recommend treatments like putting in a filter to keep blood clots from going to your lungs (catheter-assisted thrombus removal), medicine to help prevent clots, or surgery to open blocked arteries or remove varicose veins. Your provider might also treat diseases that increase your risk for poor circulation, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
You can do many things to improve your circulation, including avoiding fatty foods, exercising regularly and drinking plenty of water. You can also use hot baths and showers, or try a sauna — as long as your doctor approves it first.
Prevention
When your circulation is healthy, it delivers the vital oxygen and nutrients your cells need in a continuous cycle. But it can be difficult for your blood to pass through the body’s blood vessels if they get damaged or diseased. Poor circulation may result from obstacles such as blood clots, narrowing of the arteries or weakened vein walls. It may also develop from lifestyle factors like a sedentary lifestyle or certain medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
If you notice warning signs of poor circulation, including numbness in your feet or hands, skin color changes and slow-healing wounds, talk to your doctor right away. Early treatment helps prevent symptoms and serious complications like blood clots and non-healing wounds.
There are simple things you can do to improve your circulation, including eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated. Getting regular exercise and not smoking can help, too. And a technique called dry brushing—using a soft-bristle brush before you shower or bathe—can stimulate your circulatory system.