Treatment options for a circulatory disorder

A circulatory disorder can have many different causes and must therefore be treated differently. The most common cause of a circulatory disorder is a narrowing of the arterial blood vessels. In order to remedy this, a change in lifestyle should always be made to avoid risk factors.

Smoking should be stopped and blood lipid levels should be kept low. This can be ensured by a low-fat and balanced diet and sufficient exercise. If this is not enough, blood lipid reducers can be prescribed, which must then be taken regularly – even if the blood lipid values have reached the normal range.

Any existing diabetes mellitus (“diabetes”) should also be treated correctly, since the sugar and fat balance of the body are closely related and diabetes mellitus is therefore also a risk factor for the development of vascular diseases and circulatory disorders. If the circulatory disorder persists and there is a risk of permanent damage to an area, surgery can be performed to restore the blood supply to the area in question. On the one hand, these include stents, i.e. fine wire frameworks that are placed in the vessel from the inside and push the vessel wall apart at the narrowed point.

In addition, a bypass can be placed, i.e. a vessel from the patient’s own body that acts as an artificial bypass for the blood flow. However, the lifestyle should also be adapted accordingly during the aftercare of such operations, not least to avoid future circulatory disorders. In order to treat a chronic, i.e. permanently existing circulatory disorder with medication, it is usually necessary to take medication over a long period of time.

Mostly two classes of drugs are prescribed: First, the so-called aggregation inhibitors (“blood thinners”) such as ASA. These substances inhibit the aggregation of blood platelets and thus prevent the occurrence of blood clots. Such blood clots can block smaller blood vessels and cause an acute circulatory disorder in the form of a heart attack, embolism or thrombosis.

Another class of active ingredients that is frequently used in chronic circulatory disorders are the blood lipid lowering agents (“statins”). These lower the cholesterol level in the long term, thus protecting the vessel walls from further deterioration of the blood circulation. Because usually a blood circulation disturbance is based on an Arteriosklerose, which is again very often caused by a chronically increased Cholesterin in the blood.

Drug treatment should always be given only when a change in lifestyle cannot be made or is not sufficient to reduce the risk. More serious circulatory disorders that threaten the oxygen supply of a certain part of the body or area can also be treated surgically. Depending on how acute the circulatory disorder is and how large the area at risk is, different vascular surgical procedures may be considered.

A sudden blockage of a blood vessel usually has to be removed either with medication or with a stent, so that the affected area is not damaged in the long term. A stent is a small, tubular mesh of wire that is inserted into the vessel and deployed at the narrowed or blocked site. This keeps the vessel wall open at that point, allowing blood to flow through it.

The access route is usually via a vessel in the groin. Here, a fine, special plastic wire is inserted into the vascular system and advanced to the appropriate point. # Another method of surgically treating a circulatory disorder is the bypass.

For this purpose, a piece of vein – usually from the lower leg – is removed, which is not necessarily needed for blood supply, and used as a bypass for the area where the blood circulation is disturbed. During the operation, therefore, the operation is performed at two points: At the site of vein extraction and at the site of insertion.In principle, any household remedy that increases the blood circulation can help against a circulatory disorder. This can be, for example, heat in the form of a footbath, which expands the vessels of the feet and thus contributes to better blood circulation in the legs and feet.

Pulse warmers can ensure blood circulation in the hands and fingers by keeping the vessels in this area wide. Another strategy is to use substances that are naturally pungent or can burn. Beverage vinegar, horseradish or chili can provide a good base for compresses or pastes which, when applied to the skin, help to ensure blood circulation in the body part.

Gingko also helps to dilate the blood vessels, especially the smaller ones, thus improving blood circulation. Gingko extract is available in tablets or capsules and can be taken daily. The most important thing, however, is still – if not already done – a change in lifestyle in the sense of more exercise, a balanced diet and above all giving up smoking.

A circulatory disorder can be treated by various doctors because of its many different causes. A specialist in angiology has specialized in vascular diseases and can therefore be consulted. A cardiologist also deals only with the heart but also with the circulatory system and can treat a circulatory disorder.

Vascular surgeons can also offer treatment concepts for a circulatory disorder. Surgery as a treatment method does not necessarily have to be the primary focus: The vascular surgeon should generally be able to provide information about all treatment options for vascular diseases. In addition, there are of course also highly acute circulatory disorders such as a stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism or thrombosis, which require emergency medical care.

In order to avoid a circulatory disorder, one should in any case eat a healthy and balanced diet and make sure that one gets enough exercise. In combination, these two measures are then the most important points of attack for reducing any existing overweight. In addition, you should stop smoking or, preferably, not start smoking in the first place and treat or have treated any existing underlying diseases associated with a circulatory disorder (such as diabetes mellitus, lipid metabolism disorders or high blood pressure).

Circulatory disorders can occur due to various causes and risk factors. Firstly, they can be avoided by reducing the risk factors. can have a positive effect on the vascular status in the entire organism.

The vessels can also be examined by means of sonography. During the examination, the carotid arteries are often scanned, which can then provide information about the vessels in the entire organism. If arteriosclerosis is present, it can initially be treated conservatively by eliminating the noxae, such as smoking.

Depending on the severity of the disease, it may be necessary for patients to take blood-thinning medication for the rest of their lives. They ensure the blood supply to all important structures, such as the heart, despite the presence of constrictions in the supplying vessels. This can prevent strokes or even heart attacks.

If symptoms such as numbness, tingling or general pain finally occur during the course of the disease, the constrictions can be eliminated during a minimally invasive procedure. Plaques or arteriosclerotically changed vessels can be dilated again by means of a balloon or a stent. The application of nets over the plaques is intended to prevent them from coming off and ultimately prevent a heart attack or stroke due to a thrombus that has been deposited.

Do not smoke (see: Circulatory disorders due to smoking)
Healthy nutrition
A normal weight
Regular exercise and
Reasonable alcohol consumption

The prognosis of circulatory disorders is highly variable depending on the extent and localization. It mainly depends on whether there is a possibility of completely curing the underlying disease or not. Vascular damage caused by arteriosclerosis, for example, can never be repaired; one can only try to prevent further progression. However, if the disease is not stopped, it can lead to the life-threatening complications of a heart attack or stroke.If the circulatory disorders in one limb (arms or legs) are at a very advanced stage, amputation may sometimes be necessary. However, this can usually be avoided by taking appropriate preventive measures.