CIRQCARE

BLOOD CIRCULATION

IMPORTANCE OF BLOOD CIRCULATION

The importance of good and efficient circulation can never be over-emphasized. Health and fitness is to a large extent dependent on the state of the blood circulation in a human body.

Blood is carried to different parts of the body by the blood vessels – arteries, veins and capillaries. The heart pumps blood containing oxygen to the rest of the body through arteries. The veins collect impure or de-oxygenated blood from different parts of the body and return it to the heart. From here, blood passes through the lungs, where oxygen is added, and once again blood is sent back to the heart to be distributed in the body.
The main function of blood is to transport oxygen, nutrition and hormones to cells all over the body and to remove waste products. Food in the form of Glucose (blood sugar) is needed by our cells for normal functioning. Waste products produced by the metabolism are filtered by the kidneys as the blood flows through them. Blood also carries chemicals, enzymes and cells to fight infections and control bodily functions.

A good or efficient blood circulation not only maintains good health but also helps to cope with stress, recover from injury and fight disease. Blood circulation in the body may get impaired (reduced) due to a number of factors, causing many minor and major ailments.

CAUSES OF IMPAIRED BLOOD CIRCULATION
Impaired or poor blood circulation may be a result of age, lifestyle or disease. With age, the blood vessels in the body get harder (less elastic), which hinders blood flow. Accumulation of free-radicals also causes poor circulation, premature ageing and degenerative conditions.

Smokers are at a much higher risk of circulatory problems, as smoking damages the inner layer of blood vessels. Nicotine also releases fats into the bloodstream, which stick to the vessel walls and clog them, further reducing blood flow.

Overweight individuals with a sedentary lifestyle risk a build-up of cholesterol and fatty deposits in their circulatory system, making them more prone to vascular diseases. Excess fat, chemicals in foodstuffs, pollution etc. also contributes to the accumulation of free radicals in the body.

Diseases like diabetes also reduce blood circulation, especially in the feet, leading to a number of complications. Peripheral Vascular diseases may affect arteries or veins. The size of the arteries may get decreased due to the deposition of fat and other substances along their walls (Atherosclerosis). Hardening of arterial walls (Arteriosclerosis) also hinders blood flow. Diseases of the veins lead to inability of blood to be returned to the heart efficiently. This leads to swellings, ulcers, burning feet, varicose veins, etc.Ageing, diseases, lifestyle, pollution, etc. All can contribute to impaired blood circulation and therefore, related problems.

EFFECTS OF IMPAIRED BLOOD CIRCULATION

The effects of impaired circulation vary and can affect any age group. Lack of oxygen reduces the energy level in the cells and waste products accumulate in both muscles and connective tissue. Pain and other illness may occur in several places in the body. Skin problems, cold hands and feet or low energy levels in otherwise healthy young people may all be signs of problems related to circulation. The condition usually gets worse with increasing age. Poor blood flow may thus also result in:

Pain while walking

Muscle Cramps (common at night)

Cold hands and feet

Restless legs

Smoker’s legs

Swollen legs and feet

Slow healing of injuries/ wounds

When the blood flow through vessels is seriously hampered, vital organs may not get sufficient oxygen to survive, leading to myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke (in the brain) and other life threatening conditions.

MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD CIRCULATION
Even when the blood pressure is normal, the blood circulation may be seriously impaired! Blood pressure measured at the arm, is not able to provide information about the distribution of blood to different parts. When waste products are piling up in your arteries – somewhere between your heart and feet – blood pressure measurement at your legs will indicate the state of your blood circulation. Blocking of arteries prevents sufficient amount of blood to flow to your feet and causes blood pressure to drop. There are 3 large arteries in the calf and the flow of blood may be insufficient if just one of these arteries is partly blocked. If the blood circulates satisfactorily in your legs, the blood pressure there will be higher than the blood pressure in your arm (systolic pressure). The blood pressure in the leg should be 20% to 40% higher than the pressure in the arm. This figure is also called the Ankle Brachial Pressure Index or ABPI for short. In everyday terms we refer to this as the Pressure Index and it is used to assess the functioning of the circulatory system.
CONCLUSION Blood reaches each and every part of the body, from the root of the hair to the tips of the toes. Impairment in blood flow thus affects the function of all tissues, organs and systems. Awareness of the causes and effects of poor blood circulation is very important. Early warning signs of poor circulation such as pains, cramps, difficulty in walking, changes in nail and skin condition are often ignored or not adequately treated, and can lead to serious complications. It is therefore essential to measure the blood circulation thoroughly and regularly, and seek treatment at the earliest, if found necessary.