Circulatory disorders
One speaks of circulatory disorders when certain organs of the human body are not supplied with sufficient blood. These can occur in various places in the human body – the legs are particularly often affected.
What are circulatory disorders?
A circulatory disorder of the heart muscle is not uncommon. The consequence of these circulatory disorders is that the internal organs are no longer sufficiently supplied with oxygen. As a result, the affected organs are less efficient. If the circulatory disorders are not treated in time, they can trigger a variety of other diseases.
The claudication and coronary heart disease are two of the secondary diseases that can develop as a result of circulatory disorders. About ten percent of those over 60 suffer from circulatory disorders, with men being affected much more frequently.
A lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet, elevated blood lipid levels, smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus increase the risk of developing circulatory disorders.
causes
Our blood vessels are the pathways in which blood circulates throughout the body. Every cell is nourished and supplied with oxygen by the blood. The end products of the metabolism in the cells are also transported away via the bloodstream.
Throughout life, blood vessels can narrow due to the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque on the walls of the arteries. The vessel walls lose their elasticity, they become stiff and brittle. An unhealthy lifestyle encourages this process.
Circulatory disorders are more common in older people, but they can also occur at a young age if certain risk factors are present. With a lack of exercise, for example, circulatory disorders are not uncommon.
The same applies to heavy smokers – they often struggle with circulatory disorders. As a result of this unhealthy lifestyle, the vessels lose their elasticity and eventually narrow, which leads to circulatory disorders.
However, a high-fat diet and the associated high blood pressure are often the cause of circulatory disorders. Diabetics should also be careful, because statistically they are also more frequently affected by circulatory disorders. Vessel occlusions, so-called embolisms , and hardening of the arteries are the most common causes of circulatory disorders.
When to the doctor?
Circulatory disorders can have a number of causes and do not always require medical treatment. In the case of chronic circulatory disorders or the mere suspicion of a serious underlying condition, however, a doctor must always be consulted. Acute circulatory problems, which can manifest themselves as dizziness , shortness of breath and chest pain, are a medical emergency. It could be a stroke or heart attack that needs immediate treatment. An emergency doctor should be consulted if the above symptoms appear suddenly and do not go away after a maximum of one to two minutes.
If there are visual disturbances and severe circulatory problems, an emergency doctor should be called in. The same applies if your hands or feet suddenly get cold and pale or if you experience stabbing pain. In principle, circulatory disorders should be clarified if there is a previous disease of the vessels or if the patient’s state of health is generally not optimal. The sooner the disturbed blood circulation is treated, the more likely is a speedy recovery without complications.
symptoms and course
A basic distinction is made between acute and chronic circulatory disorders. Acute circulatory disorders occur very suddenly and cause symptoms within a very short time. Muscle weakness, muscle pain , a weak pulse , pain and impaired perception are among the most common symptoms of these acute circulatory disorders.
In the case of chronic circulatory disorders, on the other hand, the symptoms develop insidiously. While there are hardly any symptoms in the initial phase, those affected have to stop after just a few steps. The pain occurs mainly when moving, while it subsides at rest.
Arms and legs are often affected by circulatory disorders. Typical of a chronic form is the so-called claudication (intermittent claudication). All forms of coronary heart disease are also caused by a disturbed and reduced blood flow to the heart. The consequences of circulatory disorders can be strokes, heart attacks or amputations of the extremities with insufficient blood flow.
Diagnose
Patients who are affected by circulatory disorders usually complain about typical symptoms, based on which a preliminary diagnosis can be made. An important indication for confirming the diagnosis can be a different result of the blood pressure measurement on the right and left arm.
If the measured values deviate significantly, a change in the vessel walls can be assumed. A provocation test, in which it is checked how far the patient can walk without pain, indicates circulatory disorders in the legs. The diagnosis of circulatory disorders can be substantiated with methods such as Doppler sonography or angiography.
complications
Circulatory disorders lead to various complaints and complications. The further course depends heavily on the physical and psychological condition of the patient. As a rule, circulatory disorders lead to cold extremities and exhaustion of the patient. Certain activities or sports can no longer be carried out. The organs can also show irreversible damage that can no longer be treated in the event of permanent disturbances in blood circulation. A transplant may be necessary for the patient to survive. The patient’s pulse usually becomes slow and paralysis occurs throughout the body.
Loss of consciousness can also occur. The muscles are weak and there are sensory disturbances and sensory disturbances throughout the body. Not infrequently, patients also suffer from stabbing pain and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Furthermore, visual disturbances and hearing problems occur, so that the everyday life of those affected is extremely restricted by the circulatory disorders and the quality of life is significantly reduced. The treatment of these disorders is always causal and depends on the underlying disease. As a rule, there are no special complications during the treatment itself. However, a positive course of the disease cannot be guaranteed in every case.
treatment and therapy
If circulatory disorders are not treated properly, this can cause irreparable damage. If there is a prolonged lack of oxygen, tissue dies and a heart attack or stroke can result.
Due to the typical symptoms, however, circulatory disorders can usually be clearly diagnosed. First, the patient’s blood pressure is determined – if the measurement results of the right and left arm differ significantly, this can be an indication of a unilateral vascular change.So-called provocation tests are then used just as often – they are used to test the patient’s ability to move.
The doctor will then prescribe pain-relieving medication . Heparin is particularly popular because it thins the blood. In the event of an acute occlusion of the vessels, which is considered a medical emergency, rapid medical help is required.
Fluids and IVs are given when the patient is in poor general health. In some cases, an operation is even necessary – the so-called peeling plastic is often used.
prevention
The best prevention of circulatory problems is to stop smoking . You should also go jogging , exercise regularly and sufficiently and keep fit . Especially if you spend most of your working day sitting down, it is necessary to ensure a balance. Diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which can lead to circulatory disorders, should be treated as soon as possible. Patients who are already suffering from circulatory disorders should take advantage of exercise therapy.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.