5 Warning Symptoms of Poor Blood Circulation

How do you know if you have poor blood circulation? Heavy legs, cold feet, localized swelling, cramps, tingling… What are the warning signs? When and which doctor to consult? What solutions to relieve circulatory disorders and avoid complications?

1. Ankle swelling

“When you are sedentary, the first sign of poor blood circulation isappearance of edema often located in the lower third of the legs, particularly at the ankle. The great characteristic of this swelling is that in the morning, when you wake up, it tends to disappear, only to reappear at the end of the day. This is called a evening edema, that is to say, which occurs in the evening”describes the vascular doctor.

→ If, at the end of the day, you notice the mark of your socks on the calf or on the ankleand if in the morning, after a night’s sleep, your ankles are no longer swollen, it may be an edema that will then need to be monitored.

2. Cold feet

“When you are working from home or sitting all day, there will be a phenomenon of dilation in the veins, because the blood pressure does not evacuate as it should. These are the movements that will allow the blood to circulate well to the feet. Thus, when the blood stagnates, the veins dilate, transport blood poor in oxygen and with a bluish tint. Some patients will then have blue/purple feet and notice a feeling of coldness in the feet“, warns our interlocutor.

→ A sensation of cold feet or the skin of the feet which turns blue, especially at the end of the day, and which returns to normal when walking should lead to consultation.

3. Heavy legs

A feeling of heaviness in the legs, accentuated at the end of the day and when it is hot, as well as an inability to stand for long without moving are the main symptoms of heavy legs. These heavy legs are very often characteristic of a poor venous return (blood stagnates in the lower limbs) or venous insufficiency.

→ Be careful, venous insufficiency can develop quietly. “In 4-5% of patients, poor blood circulation does not cause symptoms“, indicates the specialist.

4. Tingling legs

Tingling in the legs is an expression ofan accumulation of toxins. “And in case of accumulation of toxins, a phenomenon of distension of the walls can occur which causes pain such as tingling or tingling in the legs, which can go as far as muscle cramps. These pains generally occur from standing, in a static position. By way of comparison, after 40 minutes of walking, we will have the same pressure in the veins as in the coronary arteries, which is not good for the venous system. The body is not made to remain upright, in a static position or almost, for a long time“recalls our interlocutor.

→ Check if you have the feeling of having tingling, like a sensation of having “ants” or “running water” on your legs for several days in a row.

5. A beginning of varicose veins

A varicose vein corresponds to the abnormal dilation of veins located on the surface of the lower limbs. “A varicose vein is a vein in which the direction of the blood has reversed, so it is basically a vein “that no longer works”. Be careful, poor blood circulation is not always accompanied by varicose veins. You can have venous circulation disorders without necessarily having diseased veins“, restores the specialist.

→ The diagnosis of varicose veins of the lower limbs is made following a clinical examination. To determine the presence of varicose veins, it is necessary to carry out a doppler ultrasound which measures blood flow and circulation.

What promotes poor blood circulation?

There are several factors contributing to blood circulation problems:

• Sedentariness in all its forms: lack of physical activity, sitting too much or on the contrary too long in a static standing position (one of the worst positions for the venous system)
• Overweight or obesity because “the abdominal pressure will be increased and the venous system will be more tired“, specifies the vascular doctor.
• Family history of varicose veins.
• Regular carrying of heavy loads because “we will tend to compress the diaphragm and the abdominals, as well as to force on the valves (the small valves of the veins) which end up weakening and letting go“, he explains.
• Driving a lot in the car.
• Frequently taking the plane.
• History of deep phlebitis.

Not supported, venous insufficiency can cause the appearance of:

• varicose veins
• permanent edema
• brown areas
• eczema
• ulcers

Which doctor to consult in case of poor blood circulation?

To respect the course of care, it is advisable to consult in the first place his general practitioner. After clinical examination, he will be able to prescribe the realization of an echo-doppler and direct you towards a vascular doctor (or phlebologist). It is also possible to talk to your gynecologist or dermatologist, who in the same way will invite you to consult a specialist doctor. In all cases, “Ultrasound is essential to make a diagnosis.“, insists the vascular doctor.

What treatments to treat poor blood circulation?

Once the diagnosis has been made, the vein will have to be treated: if the vein is taken care of early and it is not too damaged, conventional sclerotherapy is sufficient. On the other hand, if the vein is very damaged, we will come and plug it:

► Using sclerotherapya method that consists of injecting a product into the varicose vein to sclerose it, which leads to the obstruction of the varicose vein, its drying out and its disappearance.

► By “tearing it out”, but this last technique is no longer recommended as first-line treatment.

► Using the “thermal” method by laser or radio frequency in which the collagen of the vein is heated to glue it and close it. Performed in the operating room on an outpatient basis, this technique has the advantage of avoiding the formation of brown spots on the skin that can appear with other vein repair methods, and of treating both small and large veins. “The laser and the radiofrequency guarantee very good results over the long term: less than 5% recurrence at 15 years“, wishes to clarify the expert.

► Using echotherapya non-invasive technique (without incision), installed in France for approximately two-three years, It is also a thermal method which has the advantage of being carried out at the office. She consists of focusing high-energy ultrasound in order to cause rapid heating of the tissues in a specific area. “Given that this technique is relatively recent, we still have little perspective on the results of ecotherapy in the long term. For the moment, the results are estimated to be close to those of conventional thermal techniques when compared to the similar recoil possible. To have a step back at 15 years, it will be necessary to wait another ten years“, specifies our interlocutor.

What drugs to relieve symptoms?

“Drug treatments do not cure the vein, but simply relieve the symptoms”, indicates the vascular doctor. Venotonics based on plant extracts (witch hazel, sweet clover, horse chestnut, red vine, etc.) or chemical substances (diosmin, troxerutin, etc.) remain symptomatic treatments that will help to better support swelling or pain improving the tone of the venous wall and therefore stimulating blood circulation. “On the other hand, these drugs will not prevent the vein wall from deteriorating“, explains Dr. Stalnikiewicz. These drugs are not used orally (tablets or ampoule) or locally (creams or gels) and are no longer reimbursed by health insurance.

• Examples of veinotonics available in France: Climaxol®, Daflon®, Dicynone®, Doxium®, Disomine®, Difrarel®, Ginkor Fort®…

What preventive advice to improve blood circulation?

• Wear compression socks during the day (this is not reserved for airplane flights!) to limit the effects of a sudden change in pressure and the dehydration favored by the air conditioning of the cabin, as well as to prevent the risk of phlebitis.
• Raising your legs (by 5°, that’s enough!) in bed cancels out gravity, eliminates toxins, regulates edema and therefore relieves symptoms.
• Adopt a good working posture: raise your screen to look in the middle, have your back and head straight, your legs uncrossed and your feet flat on the ground (a footrest can help you keep good posture).
• Get up every hour and take at least 10 steps (the venous pump is activated from about 10 steps).
• Do small muscle exercises while sitting (do small turns with the ankles for example) or breathing exercises (such as stretching, yoga, etc.) to stimulate the diaphragm and stretch the spine.
• Stay well hydrated throughout the day (drink between 1.5 and 2L of water per day)

Thanks to Dr Guillaume Stalnikiewicz, vascular doctor in Wambrechies (59) and 1st center in France to use the technique ofechotherapy for the treatment of varicose veins.