Poor Circulation

Poor circulation is a condition where blood flow to specific parts of the body is reduced or restricted. Since blood delivers oxygen and nutrients across the body, inefficient blood flow may prevent certain tissues from receiving what they need to thrive.

Many people first notice poor circulation in the legs or feet, since the veins in the lower body must work against gravity to return blood to the heart. Symptoms such as tingling, numbness, swelling, or heaviness in the legs may signal underlying circulation issues. Identifying the underlying cause of poor circulation is important because circulation problems can worsen over time and may be linked to conditions that need medical evaluation.

Poor Circulation Symptoms

Poor circulation symptoms can develop when blood flow through the veins or arteries is reduced or impaired. In the legs, circulation problems are often linked to vein disease , because veins must work against gravity to return blood to the heart.

Common signs of poor circulation include:

• Cold Feet: Healthy blood flow helps the body maintain a stable body temperature, so reduced blood flow can cause extremities like the feet, legs, and hands to feel colder than body parts closer to the core. 
• Swelling of the Legs, Ankles, or Feet: When your veins can’t push blood up toward your heart, it can collect in your lower extremities. This blood pooling increases pressure in the area, causing fluid buildup and swelling that makes the legs feel heavy or fatigued. 
• Muscle Cramping in the Calves: Muscles need good blood flow to deliver nutrients and prevent the accumulation of waste products. Inconsistent blood flow can cause muscle aches, pains, or cramps, especially in the legs. Muscle cramps due to poor circulation tend to occur at night while resting. 
• Numbness and Tingling: Poor blood flow can affect nerves, leading to tingling or numbness in the legs, feet, or hands. Movement helps blood flow, so this sensation usually occurs in the morning or after long periods of inactivity.
• Changes in Skin Color: When blood doesn’t flow properly in the legs, fluid or materials from the buildup of blood can leak into the skin, discoloring it. The lower legs might appear splotchy, with dark red or brown areas. 
• Venous Ulcers: Good blood flow helps the body heal since damaged tissue requires a lot of nutrients. When poor circulation impairs healing, a break in the skin on your leg can grow and potentially form an ulcer. Without treatment, venous ulcers take a long time to heal or may not heal at all.
• Varicose Veins: When blood pools in your veins due to poor circulation, this pressure causes them to expand. Over time, varicose veins can develop, becoming thicker and bulging through the skin. 

If you notice these poor circulation symptoms, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a specialist for a comprehensive evaluation.

What Causes Poor Circulation?

Understanding what causes poor circulation is essential for choosing the right treatment. Circulatory issues generally originate in the veins or arteries and can result from the following conditions:

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A DVT clot usually forms in a deep vein in the legs. This clot can potentially break free and block the lungs, leading to a life-threatening condition known as pulmonary embolism.
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI): Damaged vein valves can cause blood to pool in the legs, leading to varicose veins, swelling, heaviness, and other symptoms of venous disease.
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Plaque builds up, narrowing the arteries supplying blood to the limbs. Reduced oxygen delivery can cause pain, weakness, or numbness in the legs.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar damages blood vessels, contributing to inflammation. Over time, diabetes can impair vascular function, increasing the risk of arterial disease and neuropathy.
• Lifestyle Factors: Certain behaviors, such as prolonged sitting or standing, smoking, poor diet, and inadequate hydration, can cause circulation issues.
• Raynaud’s Disease: This disease causes temporary narrowing of arteries due to cold or stress. Fingers or toes may turn white, blue, and then red, with severe cases potentially causing ulcers or tissue damage.

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Poor Circulation in Legs vs. Poor Circulation in Feet

Poor circulation in the legs commonly presents as heaviness, swelling, cramping, visible varicose veins, and skin discoloration. In comparison, poor circulation in the feet often causes coldness, tingling, numbness, or slow-healing sores around the toes and heels.

Conditions and Risk Factors Linked to Poor Circulation

Poor circulation usually starts with a problem in the blood vessels. Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and plaque buildup can damage blood vessels and reduce healthy blood flow. 

Vein disease, also known as venous insufficiency, occurs when the valves inside the veins stop working properly, allowing blood to pool in the legs. Common symptoms include varicose veins, spider veins, leg swelling, cramping, and heaviness.

When fatty deposits build up along the artery walls, blood flow narrows, and the arteries become less flexible. This process, known as atherosclerosis, can lead to peripheral artery disease (PAD), which may cause leg pain, numbness, weakness, and other symptoms similar to vein disease.

If you experience any of these symptoms and have high blood pressure, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, or a family history of vascular disease, consult a specialist for evaluation.

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How Are Circulation Problems Diagnosed?

If vein disease is suspected, USA Vein Clinics specialists diagnose venous circulation problems through a comprehensive evaluation that may include:

1. Physical examination: Our specialists observe your legs while you sit and stand, then check for swelling, skin changes, or ulcers. Then, they review your symptoms and family history.
2. Duplex Ultrasound: Your specialist may request this ultrasound to detect valve dysfunction, blockages, or clots through real-time blood flow assessment.

This evaluation helps determine whether symptoms are related to vein disease or another circulatory condition by identifying the underlying cause of circulation problems. The physical examination and ultrasound assess the location and severity of any circulation problems, such as damaged vein valves, allowing your specialist to recommend the most appropriate care plan. If vein disease is confirmed, your provider can discuss minimally invasive treatment options designed to improve circulation and relieve symptoms.

Treatment for Poor Circulation Caused by Vein Disease

The type of treatment for poor circulation depends on the severity and persistence of symptoms. In some cases, lifestyle modifications can improve circulation problems, while in others, medical intervention is necessary.

At-Home Care

Some lifestyle modifications can improve blood flow and prevent worsening symptoms, including regular exercise, compression stockings, quitting smoking, and staying hydrated.

Some people also consider leg circulation machines for improving blood flow as part of their at-home care. Learn whether leg circulation machines work for improving blood flow, who may benefit from them, and when they shouldn’t replace a medical evaluation.

It’s best to consult a doctor about circulation-related health concerns, especially if they are persistent or severe. This ensures you receive targeted treatment personalized to your case. 

Non-Surgical CVI-Related Circulation Treatment

Our vein specialists at USA Vein Clinics provide minimally invasive treatments to address damaged veins. These procedures identify a damaged vein to close and seal off, so the body can reroute blood flow to healthy veins. 

Our non-surgical vein disease treatment options include:

• Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT): Uses ultrasound guidance to place a very thin laser fiber into the diseased vein before applying laser energy to seal it off.
• Visual sclerotherapy: Specifically for small veins, such as spider veins. Your vein specialist inserts a tiny needle with a sclerosant (a type of irritant) into the affected vein, causing it to collapse.
• Varithena™ Vein Treatment: The specialist uses an ultrasound as a guide to apply medical foam that closes off malfunctioning veins.  
• ClariVein®: ClariVein® uses a rotating catheter to inject a medical solution that closes targeted veins. 
• Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy: This nonsurgical treatment is for veins near the skin surface. Using ultrasound guidance, your vein specialist injects sclerosants intended to irritate and collapse targeted veins.
• VenaSeal™ Treatment: This treatment uses a medical adhesive to seal varicose veins closed. Unlike other treatments, patients do not need to wear compression socks during recovery.

These treatments typically take less than an hour and allow the patient to go home directly afterward. Any persistent symptoms related to circulation issues indicate it is time to schedule an appointment with a vein specialist for diagnosis and treatment. 

Request a Consultation with USA Vein Clinics

USA Vein Clinics provides personalized treatment plans based on our thorough diagnosis. Our office-based minimally invasive procedures provide comprehensive relief from symptoms. Even after treatment, our specialists help you manage your vein disease through ongoing care.

Find a vein center near you at one of our nationwide clinics today and schedule a consultation with one of our expert vein specialists. 

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FAQs about Poor Circulation Causes, Symptoms, and Management 

Can poor circulation cause leg cramps?

Poor circulation can cause leg cramps by reducing oxygen delivery to leg muscles, leading to nighttime cramping, aching, and heaviness. It may also cause swelling and visible varicose veins.

How can you fix poor circulation​?

You can manage circulation issues by staying hydrated, increasing physical activity, eating a high-fiber diet, and managing stress. If vein disease is the cause, minimally invasive treatments can help restore proper blood flow.

How do you know if you have poor circulation​?

Common signs of poor circulation include tingling, cold feet, and swelling in the lower extremities. A medical evaluation and ultrasound can confirm whether vein disease is the cause of any circulation issues.

How can you relieve leg pain from poor circulation​?

You can relieve leg pain caused by poor circulation by exercising regularly, elevating your legs, and using compression therapy. If symptoms persist, vein specialists can diagnose and treat underlying vascular damage.