The blood circulatory system, also known as the cardiovascular system, consists of the heart, blood and the blood vessels that run throughout the body. It delivers nutrients and oxygen to all cells of the body. The oxygen we breathe is absorbed into the blood in the lungs, and the heart pumps this blood to all parts of the body. Each heartbeat is a contraction of the heart as it pumps blood around the body. So, if you don’t practice a healthy lifestyle you might be at risk of having some serious illnesses.
Seek the immediate help of your doctor if there is an undeniable pain or changes in your body that might be a cause of poor blood circulation. But the best thing that you can do is to have a better lifestyle to avoid certain unwanted problems due to your lack of discipline. You can do regular exercise routine and practice to eat healthy foods.
There is also some equipment like those found at HALO HEALTH LINK that can help you improve your blood circulation especially when your work does not permit you to do daily exercise like being a driver or spending most of your time seating in the office. You can usually find them at online health stores which offer different kinds of proven effective products that can help you prevent and cure poor blood circulation.
Different circulatory system diseases can lead to interruption of blood circulation.
High blood pressure. Also called hypertension, is a condition that is defined by the increased force required to pump blood through your arteries. It is often described as a disease without any presenting symptoms, but over time this too much force can damage the heart and lead to stroke, heart disease, or kidney problems.
Atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. These happen when blood vessels narrow due to cholesterol plaque buildup. This means the greater force is required for blood to pass through these narrow areas to be able to deliver adequate blood supply, causing increased blood pressure. If this blood vessel narrowing occurs in the vessels supplying the heart, it can trigger a heart attack.
Heart attack. When the heart does not receive enough blood due to a blocked coronary artery. If not remedied in time, the heart muscle can become permanently damaged and subsequently lead to heart failure or even sudden death. Symptoms of a heart attack include pain in the centre or left side of the chest, pain that radiates to the jaw, shoulder, or arm, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, irregular heartbeat, and or loss of consciousness.
Heart failure. Also called congestive heart failure, this condition happens due to the weakened or damaged heart muscle. Early symptoms of heart failure include fatigue, ankle swelling (oedema), and increased urination at night. Later symptoms may include rapid breathing, chest pain, loss of consciousness and the feeling of being drowned when taking a shower.
Stroke. A stroke occurs due to the blockage of a blood vessel within the brain reducing oxygenated blood supply and possibly causing permanent brain damage. It is most commonly caused by a blood clot that originated in another part of the body, such as the heart, then travelling through the arterial system to the brain and causing a blockage. Symptoms may be
- Numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side
- Confusion or trouble understanding other people
- Difficulty speaking
- Trouble seeing with one or both eyes
- Problems walking or staying balanced or coordinated
- Dizziness
- Severe headache that comes on for no reason
Aortic Aneurysm. This is a condition involving the major artery stemming from the heart, called the aorta. Symptoms can be High blood pressure, Infection, Plaque buildup in your arteries (atherosclerosis), High cholesterol, Sudden traumatic injury. May also include Chest or back pain, Difficulty breathing or swallowing, Shortness of breath, Coughing and Hoarseness.
Mitral Prolapse. The mitral valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle in the heart. It is a one-way valve that allows a certain volume of blood into the left ventricle in tandem with the heartbeat. Mitral prolapse occurs when the flaps of the valve do not close properly, allowing for blood to regurgitate back into the left atrium. While the condition is mostly harmless, some cases may require surgical correction. Mitral prolapse can be distinguished by a unique heart murmur.
Angina pectoris. This is a pain in the chest, it is a specific type of chest pain that is related to the heart. It is often accompanied by shortness of breath, fatigue, and nausea. A diagnosis of angina signifies that not enough blood is reaching the heart muscles. Angina pain patients often take nitroglycerine pills, which help to dilate blood vessels, to relieve the pain.
Varicose Veins. Are visible veins that may look dark purple or blue and in colour, usually in the legs and feet. These enlarged and discoloured veins may not pose any immediate health concerns to some patients and can be more of a cosmetic problem, looking unsightly or unattractive. When you have varicose veins you may be experiencing aching pain and discomfort and this could signal a higher risk for other circulatory problems. Varicose veins are thought to be a result of prolonged standing or walking that increases the pressure in the veins of the lower body, with the effects of gravity mostly to blame.
