
What is the best treatment for poor blood circulation?
Vascular Treatment for Poor Circulation Your first step in treating poor blood circulation is a visit to your vascular specialist. They may recommend an exercise and diet program and medication, but some patients see the most benefit from a vascular treatment such as angioplasty or bypass surgery.
What are the treatment options for heart disease?
In general, treatment for heart disease usually includes: Lifestyle changes. You can lower your risk of heart disease by eating a low-fat and low-sodium diet, getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake. Medications.
How can I increase blood flow to my heart?
Use warmth. A warm bath can temporarily boost blood flow by widening your blood vessels. A hot drink like tea has a similar effect. As a bonus, black and green tea contain antioxidants that are good for your cardiovascular health. Show Sources SOURCES:
What are the treatments for heart arrhythmias?
Treatment for heart arrhythmias may include medications, therapies such as vagal maneuvers, cardioversion, catheter procedures or heart surgery. Medications used to treat heart arrhythmias depend on the type of arrhythmia and potential complications.

What are the treatments for circulatory condition?
medication, such as to reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol, improve blood flow, or regulate heart rhythm. surgery, such as coronary artery bypass grafting or valve repair or replacement surgery. cardiac rehabilitation, including exercise prescriptions and lifestyle counseling.
Which treatment is best for heart?
Heart medicines should not be stopped suddenly without the advice of a doctor as there's a risk this may make your symptoms worse.Blood-thinning medicines. ... Statins. ... Beta blockers. ... Nitrates. ... Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ... Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) ... Calcium channel blockers. ... Diuretics.
What are the 4 types of treatments for heart problems?
The type of treatment you receive depends on the type of heart disease you have....TreatmentLifestyle changes. ... Medications. ... Medical procedures or surgery.
How can I improve my heart health and circulation?
7 powerful ways you can strengthen your heartGet moving. Your heart is a muscle and, as with any muscle, exercise is what strengthens it. ... Quit smoking. Quitting smoking is tough. ... Lose weight. ... Eat heart-healthy foods. ... Don't forget the chocolate. ... Don't overeat. ... Don't stress. ... Related Stories.
Can the heart repair itself?
Until recently, it was believed that the human heart didn't have this capacity. But the heart does have some ability to make new muscle and possibly repair itself. The rate of regeneration is so slow, though, that it can't fix the kind of damage caused by a heart attack.
How do I know if my heart is OK?
Diagnostic tests could include blood tests, cardiac CT scan, cardiac MRI, cardiac catheterization, coronary angiography, echocardiography, stress testing, electrocardiogram and others.
Which medicine is best for heart blockage?
There are many drugs available to treat coronary artery disease, including:Cholesterol drugs. ... Aspirin. ... Beta blockers. ... Calcium channel blockers. ... Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). ... Nitroglycerin. ... Ranolazine.
What are the 4 signs of heart failure?
Heart failure signs and symptoms may include:Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down.Fatigue and weakness.Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.Rapid or irregular heartbeat.Reduced ability to exercise.Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus.Swelling of the belly area (abdomen)More items...•
How do you know if your heart is weak?
Signs of a Weakened Heart MuscleShortness of breath (also known as dyspnea), particularly when you lie down or exert yourself.Chest pain, especially a heavy sensation in your chest indicative of heart failure caused by a heart attack.Fatigue.Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet (also known as edema)More items...•
Which food is best for heart?
15 Incredibly Heart-Healthy FoodsLeafy green vegetables. Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens are well known for their wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. ... Whole grains. ... Berries. ... Avocados. ... Fatty fish and fish oil. ... Walnuts. ... Beans. ... Dark chocolate.More items...
What vitamins are best for heart health?
Popular 'heart health' vitaminsFish oil. To date, only large doses of prescription fish oil may have some cardiac benefit. ... Magnesium. Many of us get enough magnesium each day by eating foods like spinach, nuts and avocados. ... Folic acid. ... CoQ10. ... Fiber. ... Red yeast rice.
How can you keep your heart strong?
OverviewEat healthy.Get active.Stay at a healthy weight.Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.Drink alcohol only in moderation.Manage stress.
How to stop poor circulation in legs and feet?
Compression increases blood flow, which helps to counteract poor circulation in the legs and feet. Stop smoking. Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your health. Speak to your doctor about a plan to help you kick the habit for good.
What causes poor circulation in the blood?
A condition caused by hardened arteries, atherosclerosis is one of the most common causes of poor blood circulation. Left untreated, atherosclerosis can cause Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Deep Vein Thrombosis. Also called a DVT, a deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep within the body, ...
What foods can help lower blood pressure?
Some delicious ingredients you should eat more often: 1 Cinnamon - Cinnamon has been proven to reduce cholesterol levels and improve blood glucose. 2 Dark chocolate - Dark chocolate contains heart-healthy flavonoids, which cause the blood vessels to dilate. 3 Nitrate-rich foods - Beets and dark, leafy greens have high levels of nitrate, a commonly prescribed blood pressure medicine. 4 Dark berries - Like dark chocolate, dark berries such as black currants, blueberries, blackberries, and even strawberries contain potent antioxidants and flavonoids. 5 Healthy fats - Unhealthy, saturated fats like butter and palm oil should be limited, but healthy fats in foods like olive oil and avocado are good for your heart.
Why do seniors have poor blood circulation?
Seniors tend to suffer from poor blood circulation in the legs due to several factors like becoming more sedentary, thickening of the aorta, and decreased sensitivity in baro receptors. A condition caused by hardened arteries, atherosclerosis is one of the most common causes of poor blood circulation.
What happens if a blood clot breaks loose?
If the clot breaks loose, it can cause a life-threatening blockage in the lung called a pulmonary embolism or PE. Over time, diabetes can cause numerous health complications, including poor blood circulation, kidney disease, diabetic neuropathy, gum disease, heart disease, and stroke.
What is the first step in vascular care?
Your first step should be a check-up with your doctor. A vascular physician will diagnose any conditions, prescribe any medications you might need, and formulate an actionable treatment plan for managing your poor circulation.
How to help edema in feet?
Put your feet up. Elevation helps with edema, swelling caused by a build-up of excess fluid, which usually occurs in the feet, ankles, and legs. While not everyone with poor circulation experiences edema, elevating your legs if you're going to be sitting for an extended period is still beneficial.
What is poor circulation?
Poor circulation happens when something interferes with your complex, far-reaching circulatory system that delivers blood, oxygen and nutrients to your entire body. When your heart, veins, arteries, capillaries and other blood vessels are healthy, they can give your cells everything they need in an efficient way.
Who does poor circulation affect?
People who are older than age 40, are overweight, have diabetes and don’t get much exercise are more likely to have poor circulation.
How does poor circulation affect my body?
You may feel pain, numbness, tingling or cold in the parts of your body that have bad circulation. Often, poor circulation symptoms affect your legs, hands, fingers, feet and toes.
What causes poor circulation?
Conditions that reduce your blood flow can give you bad circulation, such as:
What can I expect if I have poor circulation?
If you don’t do something about your bad circulation, it won’t get better on its own. In fact, it can get worse. But you can manage and improve your poor circulation with lifestyle changes, medication and surgery, if necessary.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Contact your provider when you have new symptoms, deep vein thrombosis or when your medicines aren’t helping your symptoms.
How to treat heart disease?
You can lower your risk of heart disease by eating a low-fat and low-sodium diet, getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake. Medications.
How to reduce risk of heart disease?
Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, especially atherosclerosis. Quitting is the best way to reduce your risk of heart disease and its complications. Control your blood pressure. Ask your doctor for a blood pressure measurement at least every two years.
What tests are needed to diagnose heart disease?
The tests you'll need to diagnose your heart disease depend on what condition your doctor thinks you might have. Besides blood tests and a chest X-ray, tests to diagnose heart disease can include: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). An ECG is a quick and painless test that records the electrical signals in your heart.
What is the noninvasive exam that shows how your heart beats and pumps blood?
Echocardiogram. This noninvasive exam uses sound waves to produce detailed images of your heart's structure. It shows how your heart beats and pumps blood. Stress test. This type of test involves raising your heart rate with exercise or medicine while performing heart tests and imaging to check how your heart responds.
How to help a heart attack?
Here are some ways to help cope with heart disease or improve your condition: Cardiac rehabilitation. For people who have cardiovascular disease that's caused a heart attack or has required surgery to correct, cardiac rehabilitation is often recommended as a way to improve treatment and speed recovery.
How much weight can I lose to prevent heart disease?
Being overweight increases your risk of heart disease. A body mass index (BMI) of less than 25 and a waist circumference of 35 inches (88.9 centimeters) or less is the goal for preventing and treating heart disease. Manage stress. Reduce stress as much as possible.
How to control blood pressure and cholesterol?
Eat healthy foods. A heart-healthy diet based on fruits, vegetables and whole grains — and low in saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and added sugar — can help you control your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases your risk of heart disease.
How to improve blood circulation?
15 Home Remedies to Improve Blood Circulation. The majority of these poor circulation natural remedies can be done within the comfort of your own home, and without the negative side effects of surgery or prescription drugs. 1. Hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is just a fancier way of saying a good soak. Taking a hot bath, whirlpool bath, steam bath, ...
What is the best home remedy for poor circulation?
3. Ginger . Ginger is a highly regarded home remedy for a number of different ailments, but it could also help with poor circulation. Ginger contains antioxidant compounds gingerols and zingerone, which reportedly have a warming effect on the body that helps promote blood circulation.
What is the best way to get rid of blood clots?
1. Hydrotherapy . Hydrotherapy is just a fancier way of saying a good soak. Taking a hot bath, whirlpool bath, steam bath, and the like can help dilate the blood vessels, which promotes blood circulation. 2. Cayenne. Cayenne may help promote blood circulation due to its active ingredient called capsaicin.
What is the best spice to use to prevent plaque buildup?
Turmeric. Turmeric is a spice often used to add a bit of heat to food dishes from around the world. It’s also a spice that contains the chemical compound curcumin, which could help prevent plaque buildup on the arteries as well as stop blood platelets from forming clots.
What is the best way to reduce blood pressure?
If the thought of chewing on raw ginger isn’t too appealing, you may be able to find it in pill form at many natural food stores. 4. Garlic . Another common ingredient in many home remedies, garlic may help poor blood circulation as well as prevent blood platelet aggregation and lower blood pressure.
How to get blood vessels to dilate?
Relaxation and relief from stress can help dilate blood vessels, leading to better circulation. How you relax is up to you and your preferences, but meditation is a historically effective way to take your mind off the stresses of life and the world. Yoga is a good way of combining both relaxation and exercise.
What is the best way to increase blood flow in legs?
Dark Chocolate. According to the Journal of the American Heart Association, dark chocolate (we are talking about chocolate that is 70% cocoa or darker) can help improve blood flow in the legs as it can help the arteries to widen. 13. Turmeric.
How to get circulation to go up?
It’s a temporary fix, but a bath is a great way to kick-start your circulation. Warm water makes your arteries and veins open a bit wider, letting more blood through. Hot water or tea does the trick as well. Swipe to advance.
What is the best way to get blood flowing?
Relax and Twist. 7 / 15. Yoga is a low-impact exercise that can jump-start your blood flow. When you move, it brings oxygen to your cells. When you twist, it sends blood to your organs. And upside-down positions shift blood from the bottom half of your body up to your heart and brain. Swipe to advance.
How to keep your cholesterol in check?
Stay away from saturated fats that can be found in red meat, chicken, cheese, and other animal sources. Steer clear of too much salt. That will help keep your weight in a healthy range and your cholesterol and blood pressure in check -- and your arteries clear. Swipe to advance.
How to get blood to move back up to heart?
Put your wardrobe to work. Compression socks put a bit of squeeze on your legs so your blood doesn’t hang around too long. Instead, it’ll move back up to your heart. Ask your doctor which length and amount of pressure are best for you.
How to get blood out of your feet?
Not a yogi? When your ankles or feet swell, try the legs-up-the-wall yoga pose. Also called viparita karani, it’s an easy way to send your blood in the other direction. Lie on the floor or on a yoga mat, with your left or right shoulder close to the wall. Turn your body so you can put your feet up, and scooch your bottom against the wall. Stretch your arms out on the floor with palms down for balance.
How much water should I drink to keep my blood moving?
Blood is about half water. So you need to stay hydrated to keep it moving. Aim for 8 glasses of water a day. You’ll need to drink more if you exercise or if it’s hot outside.
What happens to the circulatory system when it is poor?
This network of roadways carries blood to every corner of your body. But when your circulation is poor, it slows or blocks the blood flow. That means the cells in your body can’t get all the oxygen and nutrients they need. Swipe to advance.
How to open a blocked artery?
The blocked artery can be opened by injecting clot-dissolving drugs into a vein (you may hear this process referred to as “fibrinolysis”) and through a procedure called “angioplasty.”. Angioplasty is performed in a special part of the hospital called a cardiac catheterization laboratory (“cath lab”).
What is it called when the heart is deprived of oxygen?
The portion of the heart muscle deprived of blood carrying the needed oxygen begins to become damaged. This is called a “myocardial infarction, ” more commonly known as a heart attack.
What is a drug eluting stent?
Some stents, called drug-eluting stents, are coated with a medication that is slowly released over time. This medication prevents the growth of scar tissue and clot formation at the site. If the angiogram shows that many of the arteries supplying your heart are clogged, you may not be a good candidate for angioplasty.
What is a heart attack called?
This is called a “myocardial infarction,” more commonly known as a heart attack. The amount of lasting damage to the heart muscle depends on a number of factors—the size of the clot, the location of the clot, and how long the clot blocks blood flow to the muscle. The longer the heart muscle is without blood and oxygen, ...
What is the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment?
Calling 9–1–1 is the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. If you or someone you are with has any symptoms of a heart attack, call 9–1–1 immediately! If you have a history of chest pain for which your doctor has prescribed nitroglycerin, then take ONE dose right away.
What happens if you have a heart attack without oxygen?
The longer the heart muscle is without blood and oxygen, the more extensive the damage to the muscle and the greater the size of the heart attack. Learning the warning signs of a heart attack and what steps to take right away can save a life—perhaps your own ( Table ). 1,2.
When to get an echocardiogram after a heart attack?
The cardiologist may also order an “echocardiogram” within the first few days after your heart attack. This is an ultrasound picture of the heart that shows how the heart is functioning, including the motion and strength of the walls and valves of the heart, and assesses damage after the heart attack.
What to do if you think you have a heart arrhythmia?
If you think you may have a heart arrhythmia, make an appointment with your family doctor. If a heart arrhythmia is found early, your treatment may be easier and more effective. Eventually, however, you may be referred to a doctor trained in heart conditions (cardiologist).
What is the best treatment for atrial fibrillation?
If you have atrial fibrillation, your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medications to help keep dangerous blood clots from forming. Cardioversion. If you have a certain type of arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation, your doctor may use cardioversion, which can be conducted as a procedure or by using medications.
How does catheter ablation work?
In catheter ablation, catheters are threaded through the blood vessels to the inner heart, and electrodes at the catheter tips map the spread of electrical impulses through the heart . Electrodes at the catheter tips transmit energy to destroy a small spot of heart tissue and create an electrical block along the pathway that's causing your arrhythmia.
How does a pacemaker work?
One or more electrode-tipped wires run from the pacemaker through your blood vessels to your inner heart. If your heart rate is too slow or if it stops, the pacemaker sends out electrical impulses that stimulate your heart to beat at a steady rate.
What is an ICD for cardiac arrest?
An ICD is a battery-powered unit that's implanted under the skin near the collarbone — similar to a pacemaker.
What is a Holter monitor?
Holter monitor. This portable ECG device can be worn for a day or more to record your heart's activity as you go about your routine. Event recorder. For sporadic arrhythmias, you keep this portable ECG device available, attaching it to your body and pressing a button when you have symptoms.
What to do if you have an arrhythmia and you have difficulty exercising?
If doctors are evaluating you to determine if coronary artery disease may be causing the arrhythmia, and you have difficulty exercising, then your doctor may use a drug to stimulate your heart in a way that's similar to exercise. Tilt table test. Your doctor may recommend this test if you've had fainting spells.
How do diuretics help the body?
Diuretics: Cause the body to rid itself of excess fluids and sodium through urination. Help to relieve the heart’s workload. Diuretics also decrease the buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body, such as the ankles and legs. Different diuretics remove fluid at varied rates and through different methods.
What is the alternative to bypass surgery?
Minimally invasive heart surgery: An alternative to standard bypass surgery. Radiofrequency ablation: A catheter with an electrode at its tip is guided through the veins to the heart muscle to destroy carefully selected heart muscle cells in a very small area.
What is a stent used for?
Stent procedure: A stent is a wire mesh tube used to prop open an artery during angioplasty. Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR): A laser is used to drill a series of holes from the outside of the heart into the heart’s pumping chamber.
What is the ischemia guided strategy?
Both may involve a test called cardiac catheterization to examine the inside of your heart: The ischemia-guided strategy uses various drugs (antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants) to inhibit blood clot formation. The early invasive strategy will start with the use of various drugs (antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants) to inhibit blood clot ...
What is PCI in hospitals?
About 36 percent of hospitals in the U.S. are equipped to use a procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a mechanical means of treating heart attack. At a hospital equipped to administer PCI, you would likely be sent to a department that specializes in cardiac catheterization, sometimes called a “cath lab.”.
What is a heart attack called?
The type of heart attack (also called myocardial infarction, or MI) you experienced determines the treatments that your medical team will recommend. A heart attack occurs when a blockage in one or more coronary arteries reduces or stops blood flow to the heart, which starves part of the heart muscle of oxygen.
Can calcium channel blocker be used for high blood pressure?
They may be prescribed for outpatient high blood pressure use if the patient is at risk for heart failure. Calcium channel blocker: Interrupts the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. May decrease the heart’s pumping strength and relax the blood vessels.

Diagnosis
Treatment
- The type of treatment you receive depends on the type of heart disease you have. In general, treatment for heart disease usually includes: 1. Lifestyle changes.You can lower your risk of heart disease by eating a low-fat and low-sodium diet, getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week, quitting smoking, and limiting al...
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Heart disease can be improved — or even prevented — by making certain lifestyle changes. The following changes can help anyone who wants to improve heart health: 1. Stop smoking.Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, especially atherosclerosis. Quitting is the best way to reduce your risk of heart disease and its complications. 2. Control your blood pressure.Ask your …
Coping and Support
- You may feel frustrated, upset or overwhelmed upon learning that you or your loved one has heart disease. Here are some ways to help cope with heart disease or improve your condition: 1. Cardiac rehabilitation.For people who have cardiovascular disease that's caused a heart attack or has required surgery to correct, cardiac rehabilitation is often recommended as a way to improv…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Some types of heart disease will be discovered without an appointment — for example, if a child is born with a serious heart defect, it will be detected soon after birth. In other cases, your heart disease may be diagnosed in an emergency situation, such as a heart attack. If you think you have heart disease or are worried about your heart disease risk because of your family history, see yo…