How can I improve blood circulation?

Do you often suffer from heavy legs? Separate fact from myth and manage your blood circulation problems more effectively.

2016-10-06

Heart & Circulation Features

Eating well helps improve blood circulation

Yes. It’s important to eat a varied and balanced diet in order to limit weight gain, which promotes clogging of arteries. It’s also crucial to focus on foods rich in antioxidants, which protect vascular walls. Fruits, vegetables, grains, unsaturated fats, and lean meats are your allies.

Women experience heavy legs more often than men

Yes. Nearly 60% of women complain of blood circulation problems, while only 40% of men do. The problem of heavy legs is a direct consequence of insufficient venous return. This condition affects women at specific parts of their cycles, during pregnancy, or when they’re taking oral contraceptives. Women are more affected by heavy legs because of hormones that promote the storage of fat and water.

Exercise makes circulation problems worse

No, definitely not. Exercise is beneficial, especially because muscles (in particular the calf muscles) play an important role in venous return when they contract. Exercise also counters the effects of a sedentary lifestyle and weight gain, two factors that contribute to heavy legs. It’s important, however, to exercise carefully, avoiding high impact sports and engaging in gentle endurance activities (such as active walking or cycling). All aquatic exercises are great options because water has a natural and beneficial massaging effect on our lower limbs.

Certain plants have a beneficial effect on venous return problems

Yes. Cleansing beverages and detoxifiers from certain plants have been found to produce beneficial effects on venous return. These plants are also used extensively in phytotherapy (food supplements, cleansing beverages, and massage oils) to regulate blood circulation and control venous return problems. Among the bestknown plants that can help improve blood circulation are red grapes, horse chestnuts, and ginkgo biloba.

A well done massage can improve circulation and venous return

Yes. Massaging your legs (with a cold pack glove or under a shower head) from your ankles to your thighs relieves leg swelling. There are also specially formulated products that you can use for massages. Many people don’t realize that massaging their plantar arches is quite effective as the soles of the feet are the starting point of venous return.

Venous return improves as we age

No. Blood vessels actually lose elasticity, which doesn’t help circulation. Moreover, seniors tend to have more sedentary lifestyles and to gain more weight. It is therefore beneficial to adopt a healthy lifestyle as early as possible.

Varicose veins are a sign of poor blood circulation.

Yes. Just like the sensation of heavy or swollen legs, varicose veins are related to blood circulation problems. If you have varicose veins, you should follow the suggestions in this article, but also avoid wearing tight clothes and exposure to heat (especially a hot shower or bath). If you have extensive varicose veins, you need to see a doctor who will prescribe a veinotonic or will guide you towards having surgery.

Sleeping with your legs raised helps stimulate blood circulation

Yes. Poor blood circulation is also a mechanical problem. Gravity draws blood to the lower parts of the body, where several factors (valve failure, excess weight, staying seated for long periods), often in combination, complicate venous return. Elevating your feet by 5-10 cm while you are lying down (by placing a block under the foot of your bed or using a pillow) facilitates venous return.

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Heart & Circulation Features