|  | Conditions Treatments | Blood Disorders

Medications to Increase Blood Circulation

Poor blood circulation, also referred to as peripheral artery disease, is a condition in which the arteries become narrowed, resulting in a reduction in blood flow to the patient's limbs. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is a common circulatory condition. Patients who experience this condition can use medications to increase blood circulation.

  1. Medications

    • There are several different medications to increase blood circulation. According to the Mayo Clinic, these include high blood pressure medications, cholesterol-lowering medications, blood clot-prevention medications and blood sugar-controlling medications. Patients may also be prescribed medications that help to improve their individual symptoms. Blood clot-preventing medications include anticoagulants, which prevent blood from clotting, and blood thinners to thin the blood so that it is less likely to clot. Blood sugar-controlling medications help to control blood sugar, which is especially important for diabetic patients. Blood only needs 1 tsp. of sugar; if more than this is regularly present, the blood becomes thicker, which leads to clogged arteries and a decrease in blood circulation. Cholesterol-lowering medications help to lower bad cholesterol and plaque in the arteries, which results in blood being able to circulate more efficiently throughout the body. Pain medications may also be used to alleviate pain related to poor blood circulation.

    Other Treatments

    • In addition to medications, surgical procedures and monitored exercise programs can help improve blood circulation. According to the Mayo Clinic, the surgical procedures include bypass surgery, angioplasty and thrombolytic therapy. During bypass surgery, the blocked or narrowed artery will be corrected with a blood vessel graft to improve blood circulation. During an angioplasty, blockages and narrowing will be eliminated by using a balloon to inflate the affected artery. During thrombolytic therapy, a clot-dissolving substance is injected into the affected artery to dissolve the clot and improve blood circulation.

    Symptoms

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately one out of every 10 patients will experience symptoms with poor blood circulation. The most common symptom is pain while walking. Other symptoms of poor blood circulation include toenail changes; weakness or numbness in legs; a foot or leg that is colder than the other; body hair loss on legs and feet; leg color changes; sores that do not heal (affecting the feet, toes, and legs); and painful cramps affecting the thigh, hip or calves that occurs after climbing stairs or walking.

    Cause

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, poor blood circulation is most often caused by a condition called atherosclerosis, in which the artery walls accumulate plaque. This in turn leads to a decrease in blood circulation.

    Diagnosis

    • Diagnosing poor blood circulation involves many different types of tests. A physical exam and blood tests will be done first. According to the Mayo Clinic, other diagnostic tests include ankle-brachial index (very commonly conducted), angiography, and ultrasound.

Blood Disorders - Related Articles