What is Poor Circulation?

Poor circulation occurs when there is inadequate blood flow to certain parts of your body, and is common for persons with diabetes. The way your blood flows is via your arteries and veins, which are responsible for delivering blood throughout your body and returning it back to your heart. As we age, plaque may buildup in our arteries, which can make them become clogged or blocked, otherwise known as atherosclerosis or vascular disease. When that happens, a number of health problems can take place, including Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).

Take Our PAD Quiz to See If You’re At Risk!

Continue reading to learn more about poor circulation and PAD, including: the risk factors and symptoms, what causes these conditions, the diabetes connection, warning signs to watch out for in your loved ones, treatment options and preventative measures you can take. You can also learn if you’re at risk by taking our quiz!

If you have the following, you are at risk for PAD

Smoke
(current or former)

High Blood Pressure

Personal/Family History of Heart Attack or Stroke

Diabetes

High Cholesterol

*If you are over 50 years old, are experiencing leg pain, and have one or more of the risk factors above, you should consider requesting an appointment for a P.A.D. screening*

What is PAD

In its simplest form PAD means that blood is not flowing normally through your arteries.

P.A.D. can also be referred to as:

Peripheral vascular disease
Atherosclerosis
Claudication
Hardening of arteries
Lack of circulation to your extremities

If you have leg or foot pain, cramping, or skin changes, it could be P-A-D.

PAD causes poor blood flow, and can lead to stroke, amputation, or even heart attack. It is especially dangerous if you have diabetes or develop a wound. Many people believe that pain in the legs is just another sign of aging, not realizing that it may be a warning sign for P.A.D.

Left untreated and in its most severe form, P.A.D. can lead to limb loss so it is imperative to seek treatment by a physician who is trained to accurately diagnose and treat vascular diseases, such as P.A.D.

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Plaque buildup limits blood flow and circulation

Get screened today! It’s simple and painless to get screened for PAD (Peripheral Artery Disease)

Schedule A Circulation Evaluation

What Causes Poor Circulation and PAD?

Your arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood from your heart to all of your body including your arms, legs and brain. Healthy veins allow the blood to return to the heart. When your arteries are healthy, they are smooth and unobstructed, allowing your blood to flow freely. But as we age, we begin to gradually buildup plaque in our arteries, which is a sticky substance made up of fat and cholesterol. This can cause the arteries to harden, become clogged, or even blocked (known as atherosclerosis), resulting in poor blood circulation.

P.A.D. happens when arteries in the legs and feet become restricted or clogged with fatty deposits. This plaque narrows the passage way within the arteries and causes them to become stiff causing leg pain. P.A.D. results when the arteries become too narrow or obstructed, limiting blood flow to the legs If left untreated, serious medical problems can occur, including stroke, amputation, or even death.

Symptoms of PAD

Painful muscle cramping in the hip, thigh, or calf after activity
A poorly healing wound, sore, or ulcer on your toe, foot, or leg
Leg numbness or weakness
Coldness in the lower leg or foot (compared to other parts of the body)
Change in skin color, or dry, shiny skin on the legs
Hair loss or slower hair growth on the legs and feet
Slower toenail growth
No pulse, or a weak pulse, in the legs or feet

If you or a loved one experience any of the above, act quickly. Schedule with PVA today. We even offer convenient virtual telehealth appointments to get your concerns addressed as quickly as possible, from the comfort of your home.

Diabetics & PAD

Those with diabetes are at greater risk for circulation problems, and vascular or arterial disease.

If you or a loved one has diabetes, this condition can put you at risk for poor blood flow in your veins and arteries, known as vascular disease. Diabetics are particularly more likely to develop circulation problems in their legs and feet. Keep an eye out for warning signs in your lower limbs, such as pain, cramping, tingling, discoloration, or wounds that seem slow to heal. These seemingly innocent symptoms can lead to harmful medical problems, such as stroke, limb loss- or even death. If you or a loved one experience these concerns, act quickly. Schedule a circulation evaluation with PVA.

Did you know that paying close attention to- and providing proper care of your feet can be life (or limb) saving for a diabetic? Diabetes often leads to circulation problems in the lower extremities, which can result in non-healing wounds, Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), or even amputation.

Take Our PAD Quiz to See If You’re At Risk!

Why Choose PVA?

PVA’s highly trained physicians have helped thousands of PAD patients, offering the latest treatments available. We specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with every type of vascular disease, and we are dedicated to providing personalized and comprehensive care to every patient. It’s why we’re the region’s leaders in vascular care.

From prevention to life-saving procedures, trust the highly-specialized physicians at PVA for the expert and compassionate care you and your loved ones deserve. 15 state-of-the-art locations across San Antonio and South Texas, plus convenient virtual telemedicine appointments

Request an Appointment

Do you have senior-aged loved ones that you care for?

Whether you see them frequently, or only on occasion, ask about symptoms in their leg or foot- such as pain, cramping, tingling or numbness. Check their legs and feet for any wounds that seem slow to heal. These are common warning signs of poor blood flow to the veins and arteries, or vascular disease. This lack of blood flow can become dangerous, and if not addressed quickly, can lead to amputation- or worse- in serious cases. So don’t wait- If you notice these symptoms, schedule a circulation evaluation at PVA today. Appointments are readily available at our 15 convenient locations across San Antonio and South Texas. We even offer virtual telemedicine appointments from the comfort of your home!

How to help prevent poor circulation and PAD?

What treatments are available for PAD?

Watch for These Warning Signs

Many people don’t realize that your legs and feet can give an indication of blood circulation issues. Did you know that problems like foot pain, cold feet, and non-healing wounds can be a sign of poor blood flow to your veins and arteries? When that happens, it’s known as vascular or arterial disease. This lack of blood flow can become dangerous, and can lead to amputation- or worse- in serious cases. Fortunately, PVA offers an easy, painless circulation evaluation.

Are you or a loved one experiencing symptoms or risk factors of poor circulation, or vascular disease?

Schedule A Circulation Evaluation

If you are a diabetic over 50 years old, and you have one or more of the symptoms or risk factors noted above,

contact the vascular experts at PVA for a circulation evaluation.

Request an Appointment

Visit us at one of our 15 convenient locations throughout San Antonio and across South Texas, or enjoy a virtual telemedicine appointment in the comfort of your home. Appointments are readily available.

Request an Appointment

Leg Pain

Why should I be concerned about leg pain? There are many causes for leg pain, but one of the main reasons is poor circulation, or Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), which can lead to numerous health conditions or worsen those you already have. P.A.D.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.)

In its simplest form P.A.D. means that blood is not flowing normally through your arteries. P.A.D. can also be referred to as peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis, hardening of arteries or lack of circulation to extremities. But most often P.A.D. manifests itself through leg pain.

Videos – The PVA Channel

Watch Exclusive Education Videos On The PVA Channel At YouTube

Founded in 1975, Peripheral Vascular Associates (PVA) has now become one of the largest vascular groups in the nation. Our team of physicians, staff, and administrators all work together to ensure that we provide the best vascular care for every patient, every day. We are committed to educating the community about vascular diseases, their causes, symptoms, and treatments that are available to you. Make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news in vascular health.

What is Poor Circulation?

If you have the following, you are at risk for PAD

Get screened today! It’s simple and painless to get screened for PAD (Peripheral Artery Disease)

Why Choose PVA?

Are you or a loved one experiencing symptoms or risk factors of poor circulation, or vascular disease?

Are you at risk for PAD?

Request an Appointment

Leg Pain

Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.)

Videos – The PVA Channel