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Good circulation ensures that oxygen and nutrients reach your body’s tissues for proper organ function. When circulation is poor, something is interfering with that process, and conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD), diabetes, and obesity can put you at higher risk.
Poor circulation symptoms are your body’s way of saying your cells aren’t getting what they need due to narrowed, blocked, or damaged blood vessels. Understanding the signs can help you prevent complications and keep more severe vascular symptoms at bay.
Numbness or Tingling
One of the most common signs of poor circulation is numbness or tingling in your extremities. This is often described as a pins and needles sensation or loss of feeling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs, and happens when blood flow to those areas is restricted.
These sensations can come and go depending on the cause of your symptoms. Raynaud’s disease, for example, primarily affects fingers and toes and worsens in very cold temperatures and times of stress. (1)
Over time, symptoms left to persist can start interfering with your balance, coordination, or ability to hold onto objects. Persistent numbness should never be ignored to prevent complications down the line, like nerve damage. (2)
Cold Hands and Feet
Cold hands and feet are a sign that blood isn’t flowing efficiently to the extremities. It can be normal in some cases, like after you’ve been out in the cold, and some people have colder hands and feet as a default without other health issues.
Cold hands and feet can also signal anemia, where a lack of healthy red blood cells limits oxygen delivery, or diabetes, which can damage blood vessels over time. (3) If they come with additional symptoms like numbness or muscle cramps, poor circulation is the more likely cause.
Fatigue
Fatigue can be a more subtle sign of poor circulation. When your blood supply is restricted, muscles and organs don’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients to function, draining energy levels. (4) The body has to work harder to perform everyday tasks, leading to quicker exhaustion.
While fatigue can also come from other causes like anemia, thyroid disorders, or lack of sleep, it’s likely linked to circulatory system issues when it happens alongside other symptoms on this list. The fatigue may be widespread or more obvious in the legs and arms after activity.
Pain or Cramping
Muscle pain or cramping from poor circulation can happen because of claudication, a common symptom of PAD and atherosclerosis, or a hardening of the arteries. (5) The muscles don’t receive enough oxygen, causing pain, tightness, or cramping in the calves, thighs, or buttocks.
Claudication can also mimic symptoms of nerve pain and joint pain conditions like osteoarthritis. However, it’s more likely to be poor circulation if it comes on with physical activity and improves with rest.
Changes to Your Skin
Skin color changes are a noticeable sign of poor circulation, particularly in the legs and feet. When blood flow is restricted, the skin may not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, leading to discoloration.
Discolored hands and feet may appear pale, blue, or reddish in lighter skin and brown or ashen in darker skin. Some people also experience dry, flaky patches or thickened areas where the skin looks tighter and shinier. (6) Your skin may even feel cooler to the touch.
While minor color changes can happen for many reasons, like exposure to the cold, it’s likely poor circulation if they happen alongside numbness and muscle pain.
Slow-Healing Wounds
Slow-healing sores or ulcers in the legs, ankles, or feet are an obvious sign of reduced blood flow. (7) When blood flow is restricted, the body struggles to deliver enough oxygen and immune cells to injured spots, which can cause even small wounds to take much longer to heal.
Over time, restricted blood flow can increase the risk of infection and tissue breakdown. Severe circulation problems caused by PAD can even lead to critical limb ischemia (CLI), which comes with a high risk of limb loss. (8)
Varicose Veins
Varicose or bulging veins are a visible sign of poor circulation and a common precursor to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). (9) Enlarged, twisted veins can happen when the valves inside them weaken or become damaged, causing blood to pool instead of flowing back to the heart.
This buildup increases pressure within the veins, leading to their swollen and raised appearance just beneath the skin, especially in the legs. Varicose veins are more than a cosmetic concern, though. They can come with aching, itching, or burning, or worsen to cause CVI.
Studies show people with varicose veins are also at higher risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), where a blood clot forms in the deep veins in the body. (10) A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening complication of DVT.
Swelling
Swelling, or peripheral edema, is a sign that blood isn’t effectively returned to the heart, causing it to pool in the lower extremities. (11) This buildup of fluid in your feet, ankles, and calves can have an innocuous cause, like sitting on an airplane too long, but it can also signal circulation issues.
The swelling may feel soft or firm and appear stretched, shiny, or discolored. You may also notice pitting edema, where pressing on the swollen area leaves a temporary indentation. Over time, persistent swelling can restrict your movement and increase your risk of infection.
Sexual Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) and other sexual dysfunctions can happen as a result of reduced blood flow to sexual organs. (12)
This can happen for a number of reasons. Aging affects testosterone production, which can limit vascular reactivity. Conditions like PAD, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, or pelvic trauma can also result in clogged arteries that supply sexual organs with healthy blood flow.
Reduced blood flow to the pelvic region isn’t just a symptom for men, either. It can also play a role in sexual arousal, chronic inflammation, and symptoms of vaginal dryness in women. (13)
Poor Cognitive Function
The brain relies on a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood to function properly. When circulation is poor, less oxygen reaches the brain, which can affect memory, focus, and mental clarity. (14). Reduced blood flow to the brain can also manifest as vascular dementia, a type of cognitive decline that affects memory, thinking, and reasoning. (15)
Occasional lapses in focus can occur because of stress, fatigue, or lack of sleep. Consistent cognitive difficulties, though, especially with other symptoms, can suggest a circulation issue.
Potential Causes
Causes of poor circulation can depend on the part of your body affected and your personal health history, but the potential causes listed below are most common:
PAD: Arterial diseases like PAD occur when plaque buildup reduces blood flow, causing blocked arteries and limiting oxygen and nutrients from reaching tissues. (16) Without treatment, your risk of heart attack and stroke increases.
Atherosclerosis: Similar to PAD, atherosclerosis is a condition where plaque buildup limits blood flow. The result is decreased blood flow to your extremities and a higher risk of coronary heart disease, PAD, and stroke.
Blood clots: A blood clot can partially or fully block the flow of blood in a vein or artery. Depending on where it happens, a clot can lead to serious complications like stroke and PE. (17)
Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves over time, especially in the hands and feet. This impairs circulation and healing, increasing the risk of ulcers, infections, and neuropathy. (18)
CVI: When the vein valves in the legs become weak or damaged, blood can pool instead of flowing back to the heart. This leads to swelling and varicose veins, common symptoms of poor circulation.
Obesity: Excess weight places additional strain on the circulatory system and can lead to narrowed arteries, inflammation, and reduced blood flow. (19) It also increases the risk of related conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessel walls and accelerates plaque buildup, significantly narrowing the arteries. (20) It’s a major risk factor for PAD and other circulation-related diseases.
Raynaud’s disease: This condition causes small arteries in the fingers and toes to narrow excessively in response to cold or stress. Restricted blood flow can lead to skin discoloration, numbness, and uncomfortable sensations in your extremities.
High cholesterol is often listed as one of the causes of poor circulation, but it’s important to consider the role cholesterol plays in plaque buildup. LDL cholesterol oxidizes due to inflammation or oxidative stress, which triggers an immune system that contributes to plaque rupture.
Looking beyond cholesterol to consider inflammation and poor blood vessel health is a more meaningful approach to heart disease prevention and poor circulation.
What to Do
Signs of poor circulation always warrant a call to your healthcare provider. Severe symptoms like persistent ulcers, intense leg pain or cramping at rest, and significant swelling can indicate more serious conditions. Seek immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing chest pain.
Conventional treatment options may include drugs like blood thinners and statins, or even surgeries to reduce varicose veins.
There are natural ways to improve circulation in a preventative approach. Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, following a healthy diet, and smoking cessation are meaningful ways to boost overall wellness and reduce your risk of vascular disease.
Supplements like nattokinase, an enzyme that supports circulation by breaking down fibrin, can also help.
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Toku Flow is a daily supplement that combines nattokinase with vitamin K2 and beta-glucan for a natural approach to improved circulation and overall heart health. The Takeaway
Signs and symptoms of poor circulation can vary, especially if other underlying health issues are at play. While some are temporary and not a cause for alarm, persistent, more severe symptoms could indicate a serious condition.
Addressing the causes of your circulation issues is just as important as treating your symptoms. That means a holistic approach that won’t just result in improved circulation, but better heart and vascular health.
FAQs
How is poor blood circulation dangerous to your health?
Poor blood circulation is dangerous because it limits oxygen and nutrient delivery to vital organs and tissues. Over time, this can lead to symptoms like nerve damage, slow wound healing, and infections, but it also increases the risk of serious conditions like heart attack and stroke.
Is aspirin helpful for improving poor circulation in the legs?
Aspirin is frequently suggested as a management tool for PAD and blood clot risk, but there is limited evidence that it has any effect on blood circulation in the legs.
It may prevent clots from forming on ruptured atherosclerotic plaques, but it is more effective in those with active heart disease. (21) New guidance suggests that taking aspirin in a preventative way may not be as effective and may cause unwanted side effects.
Are there specific ways you can test for poor circulation?
Blood tests, stress tests, physical exams, and imaging scans are all used to diagnose poor circulation and relevant underlying causes. Tests ordered in your case depend on your health, family history, and symptoms.
How long does it take to recover from an angioplasty procedure for circulation issues?
Recovery from an angioplasty procedure typically takes a few days and up to a week for most people. Full recovery depends on your overall health and the type of technique used. Most angioplasties involve a small balloon, but some may involve a permanent stent to keep the affected artery open.
Sources
Raynaud's Phenomenon: Reviewing the Pathophysiology and Management Strategies
Stasis Dermatitis: An Overview of Its Clinical Presentation, Pathogenesis, and Management
Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins of the lower extremities
Peripheral edema: A common and persistent health problem for older Americans
Current approaches to the diagnosis of vascular erectile dysfunction
Lower cerebral blood flow predicts cognitive decline in patients with vascular cognitive impairment
Pulmonary Embolism in Ischemic Stroke: Clinical Presentation, Risk Factors, and Outcome
Tobacco smoking and vascular biology and function: evidence from human studies
