The Impact of Poor Circulation on Wound Healing

Your circulation system, also known as your cardiovascular system, is essential to wound healing because it is an important part of your body’s immune response. Your heart pumps oxygen and nutrient-rich blood away from the heart through your arteries. Your veins carry deoxygenated, nutrient-poor blood back to the heart. When you are injured, your blood carries extra nutrients and white blood cells to the injured tissue. If your circulation is limited, however, enough blood may not reach the wound which can delay healing. The longer a wound goes untreated, the greater the risk of infection, hospitalization and possibly amputation or loss of life. Understanding the connection between poor circulation and impaired wound healing is crucial for maintaining overall health and preventing complications.

Medical Conditions that Affect Your Circulation System

There are many forms of cardiovascular disease that can compromise or reduce your ability to heal. In addition, many people living with a form of heart disease are also living with diabetes, a condition that is also damaging to arteries and veins. People living with these common conditions are at greater risk for developing a non-healing wound:

• Arrhythmia
• Atherosclerosis
• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
• History of heart attack
• Heart disease
• Heart failure
• Heart valve problems
• History of stroke
• Venous disease

Managing these underlying medical conditions is essential for promoting optimal wound healing and preventing the development of chronic wounds.

Smoking Is Harmful to Circulation

If you currently smoke or vape, or have a history of smoking, you are at greater risk for chronic wounds due to poor circulation. Smoking, and all forms of nicotine use, cause blood vessels to narrow and harden which reduces circulation. When this happens, wounds can fail to heal because the oxygen and nutrients carried in your blood cannot get to your wound. The good news is that if you quit smoking now, your circulation will begin to improve within two weeks. Learn more at cancer.org. If you need help to quit smoking, visit smokefree.gov. Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your circulation and promote wound healing.

Ways to Improve Blood Flow

The average adult heart pumps about 100,000 times a day, circulating 5 to 6 quarts of blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels. As impressive as that sounds, you will improve your heart rate and the amount of oxygen in your blood every time you get moving. Even moderate exercise, such as walking or chair-based workouts, can make a significant improvement in your health. If you are a smoker, the fastest way to improve your circulation is to stop smoking immediately. Incorporating regular physical activity into your daily routine can help improve circulation, promote wound healing, and enhance overall health.

You can find more information to help improve your overall health and wellbeing at our 2021 The Year of Healing page.

At Healogics, we understand the significant impact that poor circulation can have on wound healing. Our team of wound care specialists is dedicated to providing comprehensive, personalized care to help patients overcome the challenges of impaired wound healing. If you or a loved one is living with a non-healing wound, it’s essential to seek specialized care at a Wound Care Center. Our advanced therapies, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and cellular and tissue-based products, can help improve circulation and promote healing in even the most complex wounds.

In addition to providing advanced wound care, our team also works closely with patients to address the underlying medical conditions and lifestyle factors that may be contributing to poor circulation and impaired wound healing. We provide education and support to help patients make positive changes, such as quitting smoking and increasing physical activity, that can have a profound impact on their overall health and well-being.

Don’t let poor circulation and impaired wound healing hold you back from living your best life. Contact a Healogics Wound Care Center® near you today to learn more about our comprehensive approach to wound care and how we can help you on your journey to healing.