Before any medication has to be prescribed at all, whether it is prescription or over-the-counter, in a mild stage of the disease, changes in lifestyle should be sought. This can prevent circulatory problems and reduce their extent and progression. These lifestyle changes include above all the renunciation or at least the reduction of existing nicotine, alcohol and caffeine consumption, sufficient exercise, weight reduction in case of existing overweight and a balanced, low-fat and high-fiber diet. If illnesses such as diabetes mellitus (diabetes) and high blood pressure exist, these should be adjusted in the best possible way to minimize influences on the blood vessels. High cholesterol levels should also be reduced.
Non-prescription drugs
In the case of circulatory disorders, mainly over-the-counter substances are used. These include the use of ginkgo leaves. Gingko promotes blood circulation and can trap cell-damaging free radicals (= aggressive chemical substances).
The use of magnesium is often recommended by the doctor. Magnesium leads to a relaxation of the muscles, so that the muscles are not tense/cramped and the vessels are not compressed. As a result, more blood arrives in the periphery, such as in the legs.
Garlic can also be used for circulatory disorders. Garlic can counteract the causes of circulatory disorders caused by a narrowing of vessels. On the one hand, garlic lowers elevated levels of blood lipids and on the other hand it counteracts arteriosclerosis. Another preparation that is used is sodium pangamate. Sodium pangamate dilates the blood vessels and generally promotes blood circulation, especially in the brain and heart.
Drugs
Prescription drugs are also prescribed for severe circulatory disorders, such as advanced stages of peripheral arterial occlusive disease in the legs. These drugs are also used in the prevention of strokes and heart attacks, which are a very severe form of circulatory disorders. These drugs include the so-called platelet aggregation inhibitors.
Platelet aggregation inhibitors ensure that the blood platelets (thrombocytes), which are responsible for clotting the blood, do not stick together. This reduces the formation of blood clots, which can clog arteries and thus lead to circulatory problems. The two most prominent representatives of this class of drugs are acetylsalicylic acid (ASS 100) and clopidogrel.
Since, in addition to the blood clots, increasing calcification of the vessels (arteriosclerosis) is often responsible for a circulatory disorder, factors that exacerbate it must be eliminated. These include increased blood lipid values, especially in the form of cholesterol. Therefore with blood circulation disturbances also sinkers of the blood fat concentrations, like the Fibrate are used.
However before the gift of a blood fat sinker it should be tried to lower the Cholesterinwerte by a conversion of the nutrition. Also Alprostadil, which belongs to the prostaglandins, can promote the blood circulation. It dilates the blood vessels and, like the antiplatelets, prevents the blood platelets from clumping together.
Cilostazol also prevents platelet aggregation and dilates blood vessels. It also has a positive effect on blood lipid levels. Naftidrofuryl can be used in the presence of pAVK, Raynaud’s syndrome and fresh strokes.
Also antagonists of calcium can be used. Calcium causes the muscles in the body to contract and thus also causes the blood vessels to constrict, since muscle cells are also located in the vessels. The administration of calcium antagonists prevents this mechanism and causes the vessels to relax, so that a lot of blood reaches the periphery. One of these calcium antagonists is nifedipine, for example.
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