Warning Signs and Risks of Poor Circulation in the Legs

Understanding Poor Circulation in the Legs

Poor circulation in the legs is a common condition that can cause a variety of symptoms, from aching muscles to changes in skin color and temperature. Technically known as peripheral artery disease (PAD), poor leg circulation impacts over 8 million Americans.

Caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries, poor circulation reduces blood flow to the extremities. While PAD can occur anywhere, leg circulation issues tend to be most pronounced because they are farthest from the heart.

Causes of Poor Leg Circulation

Atherosclerosis, or a narrowing of arteries from fatty plaque deposits, accounts for the vast majority of decreased blood flow cases. Contributing risk factors include:

• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Diabetes
• Genetics/family history

In some cases, blood clots, varicose veins, injuries or other compressions/blockages play a role as well. Evaluate your unique risk factors to determine the likelihood of circulatory issues.

Signs of Poor Leg Circulation

Many with PAD experience no symptoms, especially in early stages. As blood flow decreases, the following may develop:

• Claudication (cramping) - Tight, squeezing pain in calves when walking
• Numbness/tingling - Decreased sensation in feet and legs
• Cold limbs - Legs/feet feeling much colder than rest of body
• Shiny skin - Loss of hair and shiny smooth skin appearance on legs
• Sores/wounds - Slow healing of sores, cuts and scrapes
• Color changes - Blue/purple discoloration of toes or feet

How Poor Circulation Impacts Leg Health

Over time, the effects of restricted blood flow lead to a cycle of worsening symptoms throughout the lower limbs if untreated. Understanding how PAD progresses provides motivation for prevention and early treatment.

Early and Middle Stage PAD Effects

In early PAD, plaque accumulation narrows arteries up to 50%, often causing no outward symptoms. As blockages exceed 50%, decreased oxygenation and nutrient delivery to lower leg muscles leads to:

• Intermittent claudication (cramping) when active
• Numbness, tingling
• Fatigue and achiness during and after activity

Without treatment, lack of blood flow continues deteriorating tissue health, dramatically impacting everyday quality of life.

Advanced PAD Effects

Over years to decades of worsening circulation, severe blockages trigger serious vascular deficiencies:

• Rest pain - Constant aching even at rest
• Non-healing wounds - Ulcers and sores on feet/toes
• Gangrene - Tissue death in extremities
• Increased infection risk - Bacteria thrives in low oxygen areas
• Leg amputation - Required if gangrene develops

Advanced PAD requires urgent evaluation and treatment to restore blood flow before permanent damage and loss of limb occurs.

Diagnosing Circulation Issues in Legs

If you suspect decreased leg circulation, the following tests help evaluate degree of blockages:

Ankle-Brachial Index Test

Compares blood pressure at ankles to pressure in arm to quantify circulation changes.

Doppler Ultrasound

Uses soundwaves to visualize plaque deposits and blood flow in lower extremity arteries.

Angiography Imaging

Injects dye into circulation then uses x-ray or MRI scans to highlight narrow arteries.

Treadmill Test

Evaluates development of PAD symptoms like cramping during graded walking on treadmill.

These tools identify location and severity of blockages to guide treatment approaches.

Improving Leg Circulation and Symptoms

Whether mild or advanced PAD, regaining healthy leg blood flow involves:

1. Lifestyle Changes

Improving contributing factors like exercise, diet, weight and smoking cessation.

2. Medications

Drugs helping symptoms like cilostazol or to improve circulatory function like statins.

3. Procedures

Minimally invasive stenting or bypass surgery for severe blockages.

Creating an integrated treatment plan tailored to your needs providessymptom relief while also preventing progression.

At-Home Remedies for Circulation

Complementary strategies boosting circulation from home include:

Exercise

Regular walking, jogging or biking improves PAD symptoms by growing tiny collateral blood vessels.

Leg Elevation

Elevating legs above heart level several times per day utilizes gravity to increase blood flow.

Compression Stockings

Special hosiery squeezes legs to propel blood upward.

Massage

Uses hands-on pressure to direct blood flow through congested areas.

Consistency using these techniques stimulates growth of tiny collateral arteries to bypass blocked vessels.

When to Seek Urgent PAD Treatment

While mild circulation decline allows time to implement lifestyle changes, some symptoms warrant immediate medical care:

• Sudden onset of numbness or coldness in legs
• Severe unexpected cramping restricting mobility
• Development of bluish discoloration of feet/toes
• Non-healing wounds/ulcers on toes or feet

Rapid worsening suggests a fresh blockage requiring evaluation to prevent tissue death. Seek help for promptly restoring blood supply.

The Bottom Line

Left untreated, poor circulation detrimentally impacts lower limb health over time. Catching PAD early and implementing lifestyle interventions plus medication can renew adequate blood flow for an active, mobile lifestyle. Pay attention to your body and seek medical care promptly for symptoms suggesting sudden circulatory decline.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.