Plaque buildup, blood clots or narrowed blood vessels can lead to poor circulation. When obstacles or narrow paths slow down blood flow, it’s difficult for your body to send blood to every part of your body in an efficient way. Exercise and healthy food can help. Show
OverviewWhat is poor circulation?Poor circulation happens when something interferes with your complex, far-reaching circulatory system that delivers blood, oxygen and nutrients to your entire body. When your heart, veins, arteries, capillaries and other blood vessels are healthy, they can give your cells everything they need in an efficient way. It’s a continuous cycle of bringing oxygen and other necessities to your cells and taking away waste from your cells. Problems happen when something goes wrong with some part of the delivery system or the valves that control which direction your blood goes. Like a delivery driver who runs into problems and delays along his route, blood can hit detours and roadblocks along the way. Obstacles in your blood vessels make it hard for blood to get through, especially when trying to reach the parts of your body that are the longest distance away from your heart ― your fingers and toes. The biggest problem with poor circulation is that your cells aren’t getting as much oxygen as they need. When cells don’t have the oxygen they need, they can’t function well. 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. How does poor circulation affect my body?You may feel pain, numbness, tingling or cold in the parts of your body that have bad circulation. Often, poor circulation symptoms affect your legs, hands, fingers, feet and toes. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the symptoms?Poor circulation can cause a number of symptoms, including:
What causes poor circulation?Conditions that reduce your blood flow can give you bad circulation, such as:
Diagnosis and TestsHow is poor circulation diagnosed?Your provider will want:
What tests will be done to diagnose poor circulation?Your provider may order tests that include:
Management and TreatmentHow is poor circulation treated?Your provider may order medicine for you or do surgery to:
What medications are used?Medicines your provider may order include:
Complications/side effects of the treatmentAny surgery has a risk of bleeding. Medicines that keep your body from creating large blood clots also have a risk of bleeding. Your provider will work with you to get your dosage right so you don’t bleed excessively when you get hurt. How do I take care of myself?You can improve your poor circulation symptoms in these ways:
PreventionHow can I reduce my risk?You can reduce your risk of poor circulation in these ways:
Outlook / PrognosisWhat can I expect if I have poor circulation?If you don’t do something about your bad circulation, it won’t get better on its own. In fact, it can get worse. But you can manage and improve your poor circulation with lifestyle changes, medication and surgery, if necessary. Living WithHow do I take care of myself?You can take care of your poor circulation in several ways:
When should I see my healthcare provider?Contact your provider when you have new symptoms, deep vein thrombosis or when your medicines aren’t helping your symptoms. When should I go to the ER?You should get help immediately when:
What questions should I ask my doctor?
A note from Cleveland Clinic A number of common medical problems can cause poor circulation, but there are things you can do to improve it. You can eat healthier and increase your exercise level, for example. If those actions aren’t enough to improve your circulation, your provider can order medicine for you or do surgery if other treatments don’t work. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/27/2021. References
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Can you reverse poor circulation in legs?Start doing daily stretching, exercises, or yoga to increase blood flow. Do aerobic or cardio exercises to get your blood moving and your heart rate up. Wear compression stockings to encourage the blood to move from your legs back up to your heart. Eat a healthy diet to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
What does lack of blood flow in legs look like?If you have poor circulation, you may experience swelling in your feet, ankles, and legs. Swelling, also called edema, happens when blood pools in one area of the body. You may notice taut, warm skin, heaviness or stiffness in the surrounding joints, and pain.
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