The cardiovascular system exists to supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing waste through continuous blood flow. When this circulation falters, the body’s metabolism and function suffers – a condition known as a circulatory disorder. Let’s explore the anatomy and physiology behind healthy flow before delving into specific dysfunctions.
How Circulation Works
The circulatory loop begins with the powerful left ventricle ejecting oxygenated blood from the heart into the aorta, the largest artery. Secondary arteries branch into smaller arterioles, penetrating deep within tissues before emptying into a vast network of capillaries just one cell thick. Here, gas and nutrient exchange occurs between blood plasma and cells.
Deoxygenated blood then drains from capillaries into venules and veins. Veins, aided by one-way valves, chaperon blood back towards the heart through ever-enlarging tributaries.
This fine-tuned system requires intact blood vessel integrity and healthy physiological regulation to maintain non-stop flow. Any breakdown disrupts homeostasis by limiting delivery of vital transport or drainage of metabolic byproducts – a circulatory disorder has emerged.
Types of Circulatory Disorders
Some common forms of poor circulation include:
1. Arteriosclerosis
Over decades, low-density lipoproteins like LDL accumulate within artery walls due to an imbalanced diet and lifestyle factors. This plaque buildup or atheroma gradually stiffens and narrows blood vessels, disrupting efficient flow. As arteriosclerosis progresses silently, it increases risk of complete blockages resulting in dangerous ischemia events like angina, heart attacks or strokes depending on location. Management focuses on modifying risk factors to slow progression.
2. Varicose veins
When leg vein valves incompetently allow backflow, hydrostatic pressure causes nearby superficial leg veins to swell into unsightly, misshapen bulges near the surface. This pooling commonly presents as aching, itchy, tired legs and dark bluish discoloration. Over time, skin tissue can thicken with brown pigmentation as circulation becomes increasingly impaired. Compression therapy aids proper emptying and returns circulation to deeper vessels.
3. Deep vein thrombosis
A blood clot solidifying within one of the deep leg veins represents a potentially lethal DVT. This obstructs circulatory drainage and returns toward the heart, pressurizing the lower limbs if untreated. Risk elevates with immobilization, smoking or genetic conditions. Diagnosis relies on ultrasound imaging to locate blood clots for appropriate anticoagulation management.
4. Raynaud’s phenomenon
Extremity vasospasms rapidly decrease small artery blood flow in response to cold or stress, temporarily blanching and numbing fingers or toes. Repeated episodes sensitize vessels further over time. Lifestyle changes help reduce triggers, while calcium channel blockers or nitrate creams may relieve severity depending on underlying causes such as connective tissue diseases.
5. Peripheral artery disease
Atherosclerotic plaque buildup predominantly within leg and pelvic arteries causes PAD, restricting blood flow and oxygen delivery. Typical signs include leg cramping upon exertion relieved by rest alongside slow wound healing. Severe claudication leg pain may limit walking ability and portend higher cardiovascular risk if not addressed through supervised exercise, lifestyle modifications and medical management to potentially avoid limb loss.
6. Chronic venous insufficiency:
Permanent damage to valvular function or leg muscle pump deficiency lead to CVI, a chronic condition characterized by swollen, discolored lower limbs with skin changes like thin ulcers reluctant to mend. Compression garments relieve symptoms and prevent complications by encouraging venous return against downward hydrostatic pressures. Treatment also addresses contributory risk factors.
While genetics play a role, lifestyle factors frequently contribute to inadequate flow over time by damaging the delicate endothelium or altering cardiovascular regulation.
Causes of Poor Circulation
1. Diet & Weight
Consuming too many pro-inflammatory refined carbs and processed fats encourages dysfunction by raising blood pressure and cholesterol deposits within delicate vessels over decades. Excess weight strains the heart’s workload while hormones released from abdominal fat disrupt vessel integrity.
2. Inactivity
Not making physical activity a regular part of life fails to adequately stimulate muscle contraction dependent flow through majority of tissue. Lack of exercise accelerates arterial stiffening and reduces venous tone.
3. Tobacco Use
Nicotine and other smoke toxins rapidly age and corrode endothelium while also activating clotting factors and ramping hypertension, setting the stage for rapid disease progression.
4. Excessive Alcohol
Beyond moderate intake, ethanol strains the liver meant to detoxify it while also causing vitamin deficiencies impacting vessels through elevated homocysteine levels and high blood pressure episodes.
5. Diabetes
Chronically elevated blood sugars induce a damaging glycation process stiffening microvasculature over many years, impairing perfusion and waste removal ability. Poor glucose management hastens circulatory complications.
6. Stress and Inflammation
Constant activation of the fight-or-flight response sustains raised cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines impairing elasticity, endothelial health and coagulation. Left unchecked, chronic stress hastens atherosclerosis.
The Impact of Poor Circulation
When circulation underperforms, a cascade of issues compromises wellbeing by limiting necessary gas exchange at the cellular level, promoting fatigue, pain and reduced healing abilities. Poor flow also contributes to bigger picture conditions like:
1. Heart disease
Heart Disease
The formation of atheromatous plaque inside coronary arteries reduces luminal diameter over time, straining the heart by compromising its vital blood supply. Chest pain or angina may result from transient ischemia due to activity-induced reduction in flow within narrowed vessels. More seriously, blockages can trigger myocardial infarction or heart attack through deprivation of oxygen-rich blood downstream.
2. Strokes
When a blood clot blocks a carotid or intracranial artery providing blood to the brain, a stroke immediately occurs as brain cells are no longer nourished or able to remove metabolic waste. Depending on the location and extent of the clot or bleed, permanent neurological deficits ranging from speech/physical impairments to paralysis or death may ensue if not rapidly resolved.
3. Ulcers
In conditions like chronic gastritis or peptic ulcers, reduced microcirculation within the gastrointestinal lining enables hydrochloric acid and pepsin to chronically erode the mucosa. Poor wound healing invites ulcer recurrence or more serious bleeding complications.
4. wounds
Impaired flow hinders the immune system and deliver of wound healing cells, nutrients and oxygen, predisposing injuries to prolonged healing times with increased risks of infection and non-union of fractures.
5. Limb loss
Advanced peripheral artery disease blocking over 70% of blood flow leaves legs and feet vulnerable to rest pain and non-healing ulcers or gangrene. When circulation impairments become critical, amputation may be required to remove unsalvageable tissue and prevent life-threatening sepsis.
6. Kidney disease
Insufficient microvascular perfusion burdens nephrons’ filtration functions, allowing uremic toxins and wastes to accumulate systemically. Over time, chronic renal failure accompanied by hypertensive damage and scarring leads to end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis.
Summary:
Thankfully, addressing modifiable risk factors helps restore healthy circulation. A balanced whole-food diet, regular gentle cardio, smoking cessation, stress management and weight control all impart protective vascular benefits. Strategic use of time-tested herbal remedies that dilate vessels or support endothelial function can also be very beneficial when implemented regularly over the long term. With diligence, circulation’s natural functioning often rebounds for improved wellness.
