Hypotension: the causes of circulatory problems
Circulatory problems usually occur in connection with low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, as the brain is not supplied with sufficient oxygen for a short period of time. Doctors distinguish between primary and secondary hypotension. In primary hypotension, your blood pressure is permanently low, although this does not necessarily lead to permanent circulatory problems, but rather when you lie down for too long or when temperatures fluctuate greatly or you overheat. In the case of secondary hypotension, it is often illnesses that reduce cardiac output or the intake of certain medications that trigger your circulatory problems.
In addition to these causes, jerky movements can also lead to circulatory problems. You are probably familiar with this feeling when you have stood up too quickly and suddenly your eyes go black and you feel dizzy. By standing up too quickly, your blood sinks due to gravity in the lower half of your body, which also reduces the return flow of blood from the veins to the heart and causes your blood pressure to drop too quickly - this causes the dizziness. These are the typical symptoms of circulatory weakness. To counteract the drop in blood pressure, the heart rate increases and your heart begins to pump faster in order to regulate the blood flow and supply all organs with the necessary oxygen. However, if this counter-reaction of the body does not work or only works to a limited extent, the brain cannot be properly supplied with oxygen, which can lead to circulatory problems and even fainting.
However, there are also other causes that cause circulatory problems: these include overloading during sport or sport at unusual times for the body, weather fluctuations (this is also referred to as weather sensitivity), humid temperatures and stuffy air in rooms, severe pain or injuries (many people cannot see their own or other blood), but also crowds of people - at concerts or other mass events where people are crowded together, paramedics have a lot to do when treating circulatory problems.
Circulatory problems can also occur due to deficiency symptoms: Due to the hormone progesterone, pregnant women in particular are very often affected by circulatory problems, as this changes the cardiovascular system. Injuries with heavy blood loss, inflammation in the body, poisoning, severe hypothermia and drug abuse, but also trivial things such as little sleep or a lack of fluids can also lead to circulatory problems.
Some women can also experience circulatory problems during or even before their period. This is because the loss of blood puts a strain on the body and this can lead to circulatory problems. Young and very slim women in particular have to struggle with such problems, feeling very weak and tired. They also experience a general feeling of weakness, dizziness, headaches and sometimes nausea.
Circulatory problems due to a vegan diet?
There is currently no information that a vegan diet can lead to circulatory problems. However, dietary changes and diets can of course lead to temporary circulatory problems. As vegans are often very body-conscious and do enough sport, they can get or keep their circulation going. The supply of important nutrients, especially vitamin B12, remains a problem. This is found almost exclusively in animal foods and cannot be "replicated" identically even with food supplements. Over a longer period of time, this can therefore lead to health problems, according to the German government.
Circulatory problems in summer
Especially in summer, the heat can lead to increased circulatory problems, a fainting spell or even a circulatory collapse - as already mentioned, particularly humid weather conditions have an impact on our circulation. Anyone with chronic circulatory problems should therefore reconsider traveling to tropical regions. But even in this country, high humidity coupled with warm temperatures can affect your circulation. It helps if you cool your calves and feet as well as the insides of your wrists with cold water for about one to two minutes as needed or regularly throughout the day. A cold washcloth on the back of the neck also helps you to get back on your feet quickly. Relief is thus provided by a cold stimulus.
Regular Kneipp therapy, i.e. treading water, also helps against circulatory problems in summer and so-called thick legs: To do this, let cool water into the bathtub (or into an appropriately sized container) and stagger back and forth like a stork - lifting your leg completely out of the water and tilting the tips of your feet downwards as you lower them. This is important to ensure maximum blood flow to the legs. Kneipping is recommended if your feet feel warm or hot to begin with. You can also add a dash of rubbing alcohol to the water or apply the tried and tested home remedy directly to the calves. Tip: If you pass a fountain or swimming lake in summer, for example, then simply pinch there!
Symptoms that occur with circulatory problems
The most common symptom that most people associate with circulatory problems is dizziness combined with restricted vision, as many people often feel black in the eyes. This is often accompanied by the feeling that you cannot stand upright or look straight ahead. This dizziness is often accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- vomiting
- sweating
- headache
- shivering
In addition to these typical symptoms, there are other symptoms that occur in particular with chronic hypotension. These are mainly listlessness, rapid fatigue, a high need for sleep (you are constantly tired), flickering eyes, increased irritability, loss of appetite, depressive mood, sensitivity to the weather or stitches in the heart area.
Immediate help: what you can do if you experience circulatory problems
If you experience acute circulatory problems, there are a few things you can do immediately. The aim is to raise your blood pressure again as quickly as possible. These home remedies help reliably:
- Elevate your legs to prevent the blood from pooling in the lower half of your body
- Drinking coffee - raises blood pressure
- Drinking broth - raises blood pressure
- Eat salty snacks such as pretzels or pretzel sticks
If you have low blood pressure, you should generally drink a lot. Take this to heart, especially when the climate changes, for example in hot and humid weather in summer or on vacation. Also protect yourself from the blazing sun in summer, preferably seek out shady places and protect your head from direct sunlight. People with a tendency to circulatory problems usually also have problems at mass events such as concerts. Also have enough to drink with you and look for a spot on the edge - if you notice that your circulation is failing, you can leave the venue quickly.
However, if you are prone to fainting or cramps, you should consult a doctor, as they can determine the cause and take appropriate measures to stabilize your circulation. If necessary, short-term medication to increase blood pressure can also help with persistent circulatory problems, although this should not be used in pregnant women.
If the doctor is able to determine the cause of your circulatory problems, they can treat them specifically. Ideally, the doctor will check your blood pressure and heart rate while you are still experiencing circulatory problems in order to determine the cause as accurately as possible. A comprehensive medical history is then often taken, as the presence of other illnesses or the intake of certain medications can limit the determination of the causes of the circulatory problems. Further diagnostic measures such as a long-term blood pressure measurement, an exercise ECG or a blood test are often carried out to identify underlying illnesses that were not known at this stage.
Immediate help for circulatory problems: If your circulation drops, there are a few home remedies that can help you get back on your feet. To summarize, these are things that will make your blood pressure rise. These include:
What you can do to prevent circulatory problems
There are several measures you can take to strengthen your circulatory system and thus prevent the development of circulatory problems. Plenty of exercise and, above all, sufficient fluid intake, preferably in the form of water, are the basis of these preventive measures. Avoiding nicotine, alcohol and particularly rich food are also important factors that reduce the development of circulatory problems. You should also avoid bathing too hot and for too long, as your circulation will drop. Alternating hot and cold showers and massages using a brush are more suitable, as they stimulate your circulation and can therefore prevent the development of circulatory problems.
The body can also be trained to exercise at certain times of the day: If you have circulatory problems when walking or jogging in the early hours of the morning, for example, then take it slowly - but keep at it, because exercise is good for your circulation. The statement "I can't exercise in the morning" will soon be a thing of the past and you will enjoy the benefits of morning exercise.
Circulatory problems - what to do? Incorporate more exercise into your daily routine
Exercise is important to keep the body going and to counteract poor circulation or even fainting - and as you have already read, moderate exercise is important for circulatory problems. But it's not always possible to go to the gym. It is therefore important to incorporate more exercise into your everyday life. Here's what you can do to prevent circulatory problems:
- If it's not too far, walk to the bus or train in the morning and evening.
- If you only have to travel a few stops, get off beforehand and walk a little.
- Take a regular walk at lunchtime.
- Get up more often during the day and always get a fresh glass of water from the kitchen, for example.
- Walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator.
- Do short shopping trips on foot.