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Heart & Circulation

Blood circulates through the body via a complex system of vessels. Red blood cells in your blood carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Arteries distribute oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all parts of the body; veins collect and return oxygen-depleted blood from distant reaches of the body to the heart. Circulatory problems arise when these vessels become blocked or overly constricted. Such interruptions in normal blood flow can be brought on by a variety of conditions. Weakened arterial walls, for example, can balloon out and form pockets called aneurysms that trap blood. Veins can stretch, causing their internal valves to malfunction and to become varicose veins, and vascular disease can cause vessels to constrict. Most of the time, the discomfort caused by circulatory irregularities is confined to the buttocks and legs, but it can also affect other parts of the body.

Symptoms can include:

• Cramplike pain, muscle fatigue and aching in the legs; the blood vessels in your calves, thighs, feet or hips may be blocked, possibly due to hardening of the arteries
• Bulging, bluish vessels in an aching leg; you may have varicose veins
• A painful, hard vein; you may have phlebitis
• A finger, toe or other body part that feels numb after exposure to cold weather, then becomes red and painful once warmed; you could be suffering from frostbite
• Scaling, itchy dry skin
• Poorly healing sores

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Circulatory problems are rarely linked to a single cause. Rather, they usually come as a consequence of multiple risk factors. The incidence of poor circulation rises with age, as hardening of the arteries becomes more common. Gender also seems to play a role in determining who gets certain circulatory problems. Women, for example, are more likely than men to develop varicose veins. Many circulatory disorders run in families. Lifestyle also wields significant influence. Among the risk factors linked to poor circulation are smoking, obesity and prolonged periods of sitting or standing. Women taking birth-control pills exhibit a higher incidence of circulatory problems, as do people with high blood sugar.

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The path to improved circulation usually begins at home. Beyond self-improvement measures, many treatment options are available to those who suffer from circulatory problems. Take the time to learn about your options, then decide which treatment program will work best for you.

Before suggesting a treatment, your doctor will need to diagnose the underlying cause of your circulatory disorder. You can help in this process by providing information about your lifestyle, family medical history and personal medical history. If you have high blood sugar, for example, you stand a greater risk of developing circulatory trouble.

In most cases, a doctor will advise a program of regular aerobic exercise and good nutrition. You may be told to lose weight and to abandon old habits that interfere with circulation. If you are bothered by swelling or inflammation, your doctor may also advise a daily dose of aspirin, which inhibits blood clotting.

For more severe cases, treatment options range from drug therapy to surgery. Many doctors prescribe pentoxifylline to improve blood flow to the extremities. In a procedure called angioplasty, doctors insert a small catheter into a blocked blood vessel and inflate a tiny balloon to widen the channel. Another technique is rotational atherectomy, in which a tiny diamond-studded drill is used to break up deposits in peripheral blood vessels. Other, more invasive surgical procedures include revascularization -- bypassing blocked vessels with healthy ones taken from elsewhere i n the body -- and endarterectomy, in which portions of diseased vessels are opened to remove obstructing deposits.

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As a general rule, your diet should be low in fat and high in fiber. Emphasize whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid caffeinated drinks, since caffeine causes blood vessels to constrict. And if you suffer from cold hands and feet, don't fall for the "warming" properties of hot toddies. You may suffer from a condition called Raynaud's disease, and although alcohol can make you feel warmer, it ultimately impairs your ability to stay warm. Alcohol makes it more difficult for you to maintain your body temperature in cold weather and may even promote hypothermia.

Whether you suffer from hardened arteries or not, eat more fish. Not only is fish low in fat and high in nutritional value, but it also boosts levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol that purges blood vessels of fatty deposits. For dessert, try pineapple. Studies suggest that an enzyme in pineapple called bromelain enhances circulation while reducing inflammation.

Healthful doses of certain vitamins and minerals may also improve your circulation. Vitamin C, vitamin E and niacin, all of which are believed to have a dilating effect on blood vessels, may help to get the blood flowing and make walking less painful. However, consult a doctor or nutritionist before using niacin, as it can cause uncomfortable flushing. Magnesium supplements also may help dilate the vessels and alleviate arterial spasms. Note: Carbonated beverages usually contain large amounts of phosphate, which robs the body of magnesium.

Take regular walks or bike rides to enhance circulation in your legs. Do simple exercises, such as arm windmills, to get the blood flowing elsewhere.

If you are taking birth-control pills, switch to another form of contraception. Stay away from over-the-counter decongestants; most of these drugs are vasoconstrictors, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure, as well as constrict blood vessels. If you smoke, quit.

Dress appropriately for cold weather. Layer your clothing and wear a warm hat, wool mittens (rather than gloves), and socks made of polypropylene or a polyester blend rather than all cotton.

Take especially good care of your feet, keeping them warm, dry and comfortable, as even minor problems can turn to major infections in cases of poor circulation. For people with high blood sugar, care is even more important.

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Reprinted with permission from Onhealth.com.