When your circulatory system is working as it should, your organs and body parts get the needed amount of oxygen and nutrients from your blood. But if there’s a problem in the circulatory system, the blood flow can become reduced and cause a whole host of various symptoms throughout your body. Although it’s possible to have poor blood circulation and not even know there’s a problem, some symptoms are usually present, but many people simply don’t pay attention to them. This is why it’s vitally important to know the symptoms that poor blood circulation can produce in order to avoid serious complications, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Below, we list a few possible reasons for poor circulation and the symptoms it may cause.

Possible causes of poor blood circulation

One of the most common causes of poor circulation is atherosclerosis, in which the arteries become narrowed and stiff due to plaque buildup. The plaque can accumulate in any artery in your body. Common conditions caused by atherosclerosis include peripheral artery disease (affecting the limbs, usually the legs) and coronary artery disease (plaque buildup in heart arteries).

Other causes of poor blood circulation include:

• poorly controlled diabetes;
• smoking;
• obesity;
• Raynaud’s disease;
• varicose veins;
• heart failure.

8 signs and symptoms of poor circulation

Reduced circulation can manifest in the following signs and symptoms:

1. Problems with thinking and memory

If the blood flow to the brain is inadequate, you may notice symptoms such as a lowered ability to pay attention, problems with memory, and the inability to gather your thoughts. Over time, poor blood circulation in the brain may even lead to vascular dementia.

2. Unpleasant sensations in your limbs, especially legs

If blood circulation in your limbs is impaired, you will likely get symptoms such as tingling, numbness, pain, and cramps. Also, your limbs may feel colder than the rest of your body. These symptoms tend to get more severe and frequent over time.

3. Leg ulcers and poor healing of small wounds and bruises

Poor blood circulation in your limbs (especially the legs) can lead to slow healing of bruises and small wounds. If blood flow is seriously reduced, it may even lead to ulcers.

4. Weakness and tiredness

Reduced blood circulation can cause you to feel generally weak and tired, even if you haven’t been doing anything.

5. Dark circles

Dark circles aren’t always caused by a lack of sleep. To check if the dark circles under your eyes appeared due to reduced circulation, gently press your finger on the darkened area. If the area around your finger is light, and then becomes dark again once you remove the finger, your dark circles are likely caused by poor circulation.

6. Digestive issues

If poor blood circulation affects your digestive system, it can lead to various digestion-related symptoms. These may include decreased appetite, nausea, and diarrhea.

7. Hair loss

Poor circulation can cause the hair on your head to become thinner and the hair on your legs to fall out.

8. Shortness of breath and tightness in the chest

If your blood circulation is reduced because your heart isn’t pumping blood properly, you may start to feel short of breath and experience tightness and pressure in the chest.

If you have some of the symptoms listed above, schedule an appointment with your doctor to find out what’s causing them and to get proper treatment.

This article is solely for informational purposes. Do not self-diagnose or self-medicate, and in all cases consult a certified healthcare professional before using any information presented in the article. The editorial board does not guarantee any results and does not bear any responsibility for harm that may result from using the information provided in the article.