Circling into Circulation: A Look into Cardiovascular Health

When you think of someone who has issues with blood circulation, what do you see? Do you imagine someone who has a very sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle? Probably a heavy drinker or smoker, someone who neglects their hygiene and appearance? Someone who is morbidly obese? Someone who is old? Someone who has had a heart attack?

While these will contribute to the quality of one’s health and circulation, there are many other lifestyle choices and circumstances that can cause serious circulatory conditions to develop. Cardiovascular issues can be present in both adult men and women, whether they have an unhealthy lifestyle or a healthy one. This is because the circulatory system of humans are always hard at work. It is so essential for our functioning that when there are difficulties or struggles within that system, we can definitely feel the consequences.

The cardiovascular system is also known as the circulatory or vascular system. It consists of the heart and the blood vessels running through the entire body. This widely branching system of blood vessels supplies all the organs of our body with oxygen-rich blood through the arteries, while the veins carry blood low in oxygen from the body back to the heart for reoxygenation. This is the process of circulation, and it is responsible for the delivery of nutirents, oxygen, and hormones, as well as the removal of waste product, such as carbon dioxide. Not only does the circulatory system keep our cells healthy, but it also keeps us alive.

Problems in circulation arise from a number of causes. For one, blood clots can develop almost anywhere in the body and may partially or entirely block the flow of blood. At its worst, this can lead to a stroke. Another circulatory issue could arise from problems in the blood vessels. Arteries may narrow and develop a build up of plaque, decreasing blood flow and causing pain. Veins can also have valve failures and enlarge, which result in varicose veins.

What’re some of the signs and symptoms of poor circulation? How would one know if their cardiovascular system is struggling?

• They feel numbness and tingling in their extremities because the small arteries in their hands and feet are narrowing.
• Muscles cramp and cause really bad pain due to the lack of oxygen being transported to the muscle tissue.
• Wounds generally heal more slowly when blood can’t circulate properly. This is due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients that is needed to close up wounds.
• Poor circulation or inadequate oxygen levels in your blood stream can also cause your skin to turn bluish. This skin discoloration is also known as cyanosis.
• Feeling exhaustion frequently can be a sign of poor circulation. Inadequate delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the organs and muscles can lead to an overwhelming feeling of fatigue.
• Diminished circulation leads to a lack of appetite and slower metabolic rate. Lack of blood supply can lead to poor digestion of food and decreased nutrient absorption.
• Without a supportive blood flow system, your skin cannot maintain hydration. This leads to dry skin, brittle nails, and hairfall.
• Lower blood flow can cause erectile dysfunction for men.
• Memory loss and difficulty in concentration can be a result of a reduction in the blood flow to the brain.

All of these signs and symptoms can affect not just a person’s everyday living and quality of life, but also lead to worse diseases like hypertension, stroke, heart attack, peripheral artery disease, and more.

With these in mind, how does one get over it? How can they make their blood circulation healthier? Here are some tips:

• Nicotine is the active ingredient in cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco. It harms the walls of your arteries and thickens your blood so much, it can’t get through. If you smoke, quit. It can be hard to stick with it, but your pharmacy or doctor’s office can help.
• Blood is about half water. So you need to stay hydrated to keep it moving. Aim for 8 glasses of water a day. You’ll need to drink more if you exercise or if it’s hot outside.
• Sitting for hours at a time isn’t great for your circulation or your back. It weakens leg muscles and slows the blood flow in your legs, which could cause a clot. If you’re a desk jockey at work, consider a standing desk instead. It may take a little while to get used to, but getting on your feet works the valves in your leg veins, sending blood up to your heart.
• So when you run, bike, walk, swim, and do similar exercises, you take in more oxygen and move it to your muscles. This gets your blood pumping, makes your heart stronger, and lowers your blood pressure. Set a goal to exercise for 30 minutes, 5 to 7 days a week. Break it up into small chunks if needed. If you walk, know that moderate to intense speeds — at least 3 miles an hour — offer the best health benefits.
• Compression socks provide graduated pressure on the ankles, calves, and knees, without cutting off circulation. This squeezes the muscles to activate the veins and let the blood flow back to the heart. Garments like Travelling Compression not just prevent issues that stem from blood circulation problems, but are also quite fashionable and stylish. They’re comfortable and cool enough for daily wear, and are made with high quality materials for durability and effectivity.
• There’s no downside to a balanced diet. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Stay away from saturated fats that can be found in red meat, chicken, cheese, and other animal sources. Steer clear of too much salt. That will help keep your weight in a healthy range and your cholesterol and blood pressure in check — and your arteries clear.
• Sweep your blood in the right direction. Take a body brush with stiff, flat bristles and stroke on your dry skin. Start with your feet and work your way up, using long motions on your legs and arms. Make circles on your belly and lower back. Dry brushing also gets rid of dry skin. Do it every day, right before your shower.
• A bath is a great way to kick-start your circulation. Warm water makes your arteries and veins open a bit wider, letting more blood through. Hot water or tea does the trick as well.