Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Treatment in Laurel, MD

Who Is Normally Affected By Poor Circulation?

Typically, people who are over 40, overweight, have diabetes and have sedentary lifestyles are at increased for poor circulation. Because plaque build-up, blood clots, and narrowed blood vessels can lead to poor circulation and the complications that come with it, people who don’t take action to prevent these causes may have to seek treatment.

How Is Poor Circulation Diagnosed?

Poor circulation can be diagnosed through a physical exam, your medical history, and tests. Some of these tests may include ultrasounds, pressure testing, ABI tests, CT scans, stress tests, and blood tests. It’s always better to be informed about your condition so that your provider can treat it than to ignore your symptoms and leave potential health risks untreated. If you are experiencing any symptoms of poor circulation, consult your provider immediately.

What Happens If I Leave My Poor Circulation Untreated?

Poor circulation comes from a lack of oxygen to vital organs in the body, including the brain and the heart. In serious cases where blood clots and blood vessels need to be addressed or removed, patients may have to undergo surgery. However, if left untreated, patients with poor circulation may experience:

• Loss of feeling in the limbs
• Chest pain
• Blood clots
• Skin ulcers
• Cardiovascular failure
• Infection
• Cramping
• Cognitive dysfunction

How Can I Keep My Circulation Flowing?

It’s important to keep your circulation flowing and to do things that allow oxygen to flow equally throughout your body, especially if you are over the age of 40 or overweight. To reduce the risk of poor circulation, you can do the following:

• Exercise regularly
• Eat a balanced diet
• Implement more physical activity in your day
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Quit smoking and avoid smoking
• Managing high blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Managing diabetes