When Blood Flow Slows Down: How Impaired Circulation Impacts Your Health (And What You Can Do About It)

What comes to mind when you think of circulation? If you’re picturing just your heart or blood vessels, you're not wrong—but there’s so much more to the story. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the science of blood flow, explore common and often overlooked factors that impact circulation, and most importantly, show you what you can do to keep things running smoothly—inside and out.

Why Blood Flow Matters More Than You Think

When we think about our health, blood flow might not always be at the top of the list, but it should be! Healthy circulation is absolutely essential for our body to function properly. Your blood is responsible for delivering oxygen, nutrients, and other vital substances to every part of your body. It helps remove waste products too – basically, it keeps everything running smoothly.

But blood flow isn't just about what’s happening in your heart—it’s about the entire vascular system working together. There’s a lot that goes into maintaining optimal circulation, and when things go off track, it can affect your entire well-being.

So, what exactly impacts blood flow? Here are some of the key factors:1,2

• Blood Viscosity: This is the thickness or stickiness of your blood. When blood becomes too thick (high viscosity), it’s harder for it to flow through your veins and arteries. This can lead to slower circulation and puts extra stress on your cardiovascular system.
• Blood Vessel Dilation and Flexibility: Healthy blood vessels are flexible and able to dilate (expand) when needed. When blood vessels lose their ability to dilate properly due to factors like aging, oxidative stress, or inflammation, blood flow can be restricted. This makes it harder for oxygen and nutrients to reach tissues.
• Cardiac Output: Your heart pumps blood through your body. When the heart isn't functioning optimally, it can’t pump enough blood to where it's needed – slowing circulation and putting additional strain on other parts of the cardiovascular system.
• Endothelial Health: The endothelium is the thin layer of cells lining your blood vessels. When this layer becomes damaged or inflamed, it can impact blood flow and increase the risk of clotting and other complications.

When all these systems are working in harmony, circulation flows smoothly and efficiently. But what happens when these systems become imbalanced or go out of whack??

Understanding Impaired Blood Flow: What Can Go Wrong?

When blood flow is impaired, it’s like a chain reaction that affects the whole body. Think of it like a traffic jam: when one lane is blocked, everything starts to back up. Here’s what can go wrong when these systems fail to work as they should:

• Increased Blood Viscosity: When blood gets too thick, it becomes harder for the heart to pump it through the body. This leads to slower circulation, meaning oxygen and nutrients are delivered less efficiently, which can leave you feeling tired, foggy, or weak.
• Endothelial Dysfunction: The endothelium plays a major role in keeping blood vessels flexible and dilated. When this lining becomes damaged or inflamed, it reduces the ability of blood vessels to expand and contract. This increases the risk of clotting and can lead to long-term vascular problems like high blood pressure and heart disease.
• Clotting: Higher blood viscosity and endothelial dysfunction increase the likelihood of abnormal clotting. Clots can block blood flow, leading to serious issues like strokes or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), making it crucial to maintain healthy blood flow.
• Reduced Circulatory Efficiency: As these issues build up, your circulatory system works harder to do its job. This can cause the heart to pump more forcefully to compensate, leading to issues like high blood pressure or heart strain, which only worsen circulation problems.

So, what’s behind these circulation problems? While heart-related issues like heart disease are well-known culprits, there are other, less obvious conditions that can wreak havoc on your circulatory system. Let’s zoom in a little closer on some of the conditions that can impact your blood flow, circulation, and overall cardiovascular health.

How Long-COVID, Autoimmunity, and MCAS Contribute to Blood Flow Issues

Understanding how chronic conditions like long-COVID, autoimmunity, and MCAS disrupt circulation is crucial for getting to the root cause of blood flow problems. These conditions don't just affect one area of the body – they impact multiple systems that regulate vascular health, making it harder for the body to maintain efficient blood flow. Let’s dive into the mechanisms at play in each condition and how they contribute to blood viscosity and overall vascular dysfunction.

Common Causes of Impaired Circulation

Before diving into the more complex conditions, it’s important to recognize some of the common and well-known culprits behind cardiovascular issues and blood viscosity problems. While these may be more familiar, they still play a significant role in blood flow and overall vascular health.

Impaired circulation can be caused by:

• High Blood Pressure: Chronic high blood pressure (hypertension) can damage the walls of blood vessels, reducing their ability to dilate and limiting healthy circulation. Over time, this puts a strain on the heart and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• High Cholesterol: High levels of cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, restricting blood flow. This can also lead to increased blood viscosity, making circulation more difficult.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, particularly in the small vessels (capillaries), leading to poor circulation and an increased risk of clotting.
• Obesity: Excess weight puts added strain on the cardiovascular system, often leading to high blood pressure, higher cholesterol levels, and other conditions that reduce blood flow and circulation.

These common conditions contribute to blood viscosity and cardiovascular problems by causing inflammation, narrowing blood vessels, and increasing clotting risk. But what happens when more complex, chronic conditions add an extra layer of disruption to circulation? Let’s explore how these conditions can cause cascading effects that further impact blood flow.

Long-COVID and Blood Flow Issues

The ongoing effects of COVID-19, even after the initial infection has cleared, can lead to long-lasting vascular issues. In fact, research suggests that long-COVID can cause lasting damage to the cardiovascular system, primarily through the spike protein’s effects.

The spike protein is a protein found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (and also produced by the mRNA vaccines). It plays a key role in the virus entering human cells, but it also has a more damaging side: it triggers inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, which disrupt healthy circulation. This disruption is a major cause of vascular and cardiovascular issues in long-COVID patients. While most commonly associated with the virus itself, the spike protein can also be triggered by the vaccines, contributing to similar blood flow problems.

Long-COVID interferes with blood flow via processes that go something like this:3,4

• Endothelial Inflammation: The spike protein damages the endothelial cells lining blood vessels, causing them to become inflamed. This inflammation hinders the ability of vessels to dilate and expand, making it more difficult for blood to flow freely.
• Microclot Formation: The spike protein has been shown to promote clotting by interacting with blood proteins like fibrin, making them more resistant to breakdown. This leads to the formation of microclots, which can block small blood vessels and further impede circulation.
• Platelet Activation: The spike protein also activates platelets, leading to hypercoagulation (excessive clotting), which increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other clotting-related disorders.
• Mitochondrial Dysfunction: The spike protein can impair mitochondrial function in heart cells, leading to energy deficits and reduced cardiac output. This can result in reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery, exacerbating circulation problems.

To learn more about Long-Covid, head over and read my articles What Is Covid-19 Long-Hauler Syndrome? and Could the Gut Microbiome Be a Key to Healing COVID Long-Haulers?.

Autoimmunity and Blood Flow Disruption

Autoimmune diseases, which involve the body’s immune system attacking its own tissues, can cause chronic inflammation and vascular dysfunction. These diseases often trigger immune responses that contribute to endothelial damage, altered blood flow, and even clot formation.

Autoimmunity interferes with blood flow via processes that go something like this:5,6

• Endothelial Dysfunction: Chronic inflammation in autoimmune conditions can lead to the dysfunction of endothelial cells, which play a key role in regulating blood vessel flexibility and dilation. This dysfunction increases the risk of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) and other vascular problems.
• Inflammation-Induced Clotting: In autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system can trigger increased clotting through the production of inflammatory cytokines and immune complexes, leading to hypercoagulability.
• Oxidative Stress: Chronic inflammation in autoimmune diseases leads to oxidative stress, which damages blood vessels and promotes plaque formation in arteries. This damage worsens blood flow and increases the risk of heart disease.
• Vascular Remodeling: Autoimmunity can lead to abnormal changes in the structure of blood vessels, such as thickening of vessel walls and narrowing of arteries. This reduces the ability of blood to flow freely, further impairing circulation.

These effects contribute to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, including early onset atherosclerosis and heart disease, in individuals with autoimmune diseases. To learn more about the root causes of autoimmunity, head over and check out my article A Fascinating Look at the Hidden Triggers That Can Cause Autoimmunity.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Blood Flow Issues

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a condition in which mast cells – immune cells involved in allergic responses – are abnormally activated. This activation can lead to inflammation and vascular instability, directly impacting blood flow.

MCAS interferes with blood flow via processes that go something like this:7,8

• Inflammation of Blood Vessels: Activated mast cells release histamine and other pro-inflammatory substances that cause inflammation in blood vessels. This inflammation can lead to endothelial dysfunction, restricting blood flow and increasing the risk of clotting.
• Altered Vascular Permeability: Mast cells release substances that increase the permeability of blood vessel walls, which can cause fluid to leak into surrounding tissues. This can lead to swelling and poor circulation, especially in the extremities.
• Plaque Formation: Mast cells can contribute to the development of atherosclerotic plaques by promoting the formation of foam cells and creating a pro-inflammatory environment. This process weakens blood vessels and contributes to cardiovascular issues.
• Increased Risk of Thrombosis: MCAS can increase the risk of abnormal clotting by promoting the activation of platelets and fibrinogen, which leads to thrombus formation (clots).

To learn more about mast cell activation syndrome, head over and check out my MCAS archives by clicking right here.

These chronic conditions – long-COVID, autoimmunity, and MCAS – are just a few examples of how complex, systemic issues can have a direct impact on circulation. When these conditions are at play, they can cause a ripple effect – disrupting blood flow and cardiovascular health in multiple ways. So what can we do to address these underlying issues?

Why Traditional Solutions Don’t Always Cut It

When it comes to improving circulation and cardiovascular health, traditional treatments often focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing the root causes. While medications and lifestyle adjustments like blood thinners, statins, or antihypertensives can certainly help control certain aspects of blood flow issues, they don’t always get to the heart of the problem.

Here’s why traditional solutions often fall short:

• Symptom-Focused, Not Root-Cause Solutions: Medications like blood thinners or cholesterol-lowering drugs can reduce clotting or cholesterol levels, but they don’t necessarily address the underlying issues like poor blood viscosity, endothelial dysfunction, or chronic inflammation. These solutions can be helpful in the short-term, but they don’t often lead to long-lasting improvements in circulation.
• Limited Effect on Endothelial Health: While lifestyle changes like exercise and dietary adjustments can support heart health, they often don’t provide the specific support needed for improving the function of endothelial cells (the lining of blood vessels). This can leave critical parts of the circulatory system still vulnerable to inflammation and reduced flexibility, which can undermine overall vascular health.
• Overlooking Inflammation and Clotting Mechanisms: Many traditional treatments don’t adequately address the inflammatory processes that contribute to clot formation, endothelial damage, and thickened blood. By targeting only one aspect of circulation (like blood pressure or cholesterol), the broader, systemic issues of inflammation and blood viscosity often remain untreated.
• Short-Term Relief, Long-Term Need: While medications might provide immediate relief, they rarely offer a long-term solution for improving blood flow. Without addressing the systemic issues contributing to circulation problems, these treatments can become a lifelong dependence rather than a true fix.

This is why a holistic approach – one that goes beyond just managing symptoms – is so important. So, how can we better support our circulatory system in a more holistic way? Let's take a look at some natural ingredients and compounds that can help tackle these underlying issues, providing more effective and lasting benefits.

The Science-Backed Path to Better Circulation: How Natural Ingredients Can Improve Circulation and Blood Flow

Certain natural compounds can help address the root causes of circulation problems – especially in complex conditions like long-COVID, autoimmunity, and MCAS. These ingredients work to restore balance by reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, and supporting vascular health. Let’s take a closer look at how these powerful compounds work.9,10,11,12,13,14,15

Bromelain (Pineapple Enzyme)

A natural proteolytic enzyme, bromelain supports healthy fibrin breakdown, which may help reduce blood viscosity and enhance circulation. In the context of conditions like long-COVID, bromelain’s ability to modulate inflammatory pathways and improve endothelial function is especially beneficial. It contributes to overall cardiovascular health, helping to combat the inflammation and clotting issues often associated with complex conditions.

Boswellia Serrata Extract

Known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, Boswellia contains boswellic acids, which inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), a key enzyme in the inflammatory cascade. This action supports vascular integrity, which is crucial for those dealing with chronic inflammation and vascular challenges in conditions like autoimmunity. Boswellia may aid in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation associated with poor circulation, making it a valuable addition to any regimen for vascular health.

Turmeric Extract (Curcumin)

Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It helps modulate NF-κB, a protein complex involved in inflammation, and supports endothelial health, which is essential for improving vascular flexibility and promoting healthy circulation. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties can be particularly helpful in managing inflammation in conditions like MCAS and long-COVID, where endothelial dysfunction and poor circulation are common.

Nattokinase

Derived from fermented soybeans, nattokinase is a natural fibrinolytic enzyme that helps break down fibrin clots, supporting improved blood flow and reducing viscosity. In cases of long-COVID or autoimmunity, where clotting and vascular damage are prevalent, nattokinase helps promote vascular health by reducing the risks associated with abnormal clotting and supporting smoother circulation. It’s particularly beneficial for improving blood flow in individuals at risk of clot-related complications.

Pine Bark Extract

Rich in proanthocyanidins, pine bark extract is a potent antioxidant that improves endothelial function, enhances microcirculation, and reduces inflammation. Studies show its ability to support blood vessel dilation, making it an excellent ally for improving overall blood flow. For individuals with complex conditions like MCAS or autoimmunity, pine bark extract can be especially helpful in supporting healthy circulation by improving the flexibility of blood vessels and reducing the inflammation that restricts blood flow.

Lumbrokinase

A highly effective fibrinolytic enzyme complex, lumbrokinase aids in maintaining healthy blood viscosity by naturally breaking down fibrin. Its role in supporting vascular health and circulation has been demonstrated in clinical studies, particularly for individuals at risk of abnormal clotting or inflammation-related vascular issues. In the case of long-COVID or autoimmune conditions, lumbrokinase supports the reduction of clotting risks and promotes healthy circulation by addressing fibrin buildup and endothelial dysfunction.

Now, let's take a look at how these powerful ingredients can be combined into a holistic solution to support long-term vascular health.

BloodFlowPro: A Holistic Supplement to Support Vascular Health

When it comes to addressing impaired circulation, especially for individuals dealing with complex conditions like long-COVID, autoimmunity, or MCAS, the natural ingredients listed above have shown major promise in addressing the underlying mechanism of action impairing blood flow. That’s why I’m so excited to introduce BloodFlowPro.

BloodFlowPro is a meticulously formulated supplement that offers a comprehensive, natural solution. This supplement combines scientifically-backed ingredients to target multiple pathways involved in blood flow – providing a holistic approach to vascular health.

BloodFlowPro works by:

• Promoting Healthy Blood Flow: Through ingredients like nattokinase and bromelain, it helps break down fibrin clots and reduce blood viscosity, allowing blood to flow more freely throughout the body.
• Reducing Inflammation: With powerful anti-inflammatory compounds like curcumin and Boswellia, it supports endothelial function and helps reduce chronic inflammation, which is often seen in conditions like autoimmunity and long-COVID.
• Improving Vascular Health: Ingredients like pine bark extract and bromelain work to improve endothelial health, enhancing the flexibility and function of blood vessels, which supports better circulation and oxygen delivery.
• Promoting Fibrinolysis: Nattokinase, bromelain, and lumbrokinase support the natural breakdown of fibrin, improving blood viscosity and reducing abnormal clot formation.
• Enhancing Circulatory Efficiency: By improving oxygen and nutrient delivery, the ingredients in BloodFlowPro enhance overall circulatory health and efficiency.

While BloodFlowPro has promising potential in improving circulation and addressing some of the underlying factors contributing to blood flow issues, it’s important to remember that it should be part of a larger wellness strategy. A balanced approach, including proper diet, regular exercise, and other lifestyle factors, is essential for long-term vascular health.

If you’re experiencing any blood flow issues – especially if you suspect they may be linked to a complex underlying condition like long-COVID, MCAS, or autoimmunity – I cannot overemphasize the importance of working with an experienced Integrative and Functional Medicine Doctor. These professionals can help you get to the root cause of your symptoms and create a personalized, comprehensive plan for healing that addresses the underlying issues at the heart of your circulatory problems.

To learn more about BloodFlowPro and see if it’s a good fit for you, just click right here!

Are You Dealing With Blood Flow Issues Or A Complex Diagnosis?

If you’re dealing with blood flow or cardiac issues, unexplained symptoms, or grappling with a complex diagnosis, I want you to know: you are not alone. There is so much hope, and we are learning more every day about the root causes of these conditions. We’re unraveling the mysteries of complex diagnoses and discovering ways to support our bodies in healing, and you have more control over your health than you might think.

Healing, feeling like yourself again, and addressing the root causes of your symptoms takes a big-picture approach. It requires you to be actively involved in the transformation process – nourishing your body, mind, and soul. Supplements like BloodFlowPro can play a powerful role in addressing underlying imbalances, but they’re not the entire solution. True healing comes when you integrate a whole-life approach, focusing on nutrition, mindset, and lifestyle choices that support long-term wellness. And that’s exactly what I focus on helping my patients and readers do.

I know firsthand how overwhelming, isolating, and insurmountable a complex diagnosis can feel. But I also know that hope is real, and healing is possible. You don’t have to walk this path alone. I’m here to help you navigate it, and I want to support you every step of the way.

If you’re ready to start this journey toward better health, I recommend you first check out BloodFlowPro to support your circulatory health. Then, download my Resource Roadmap – it’s a comprehensive guide to all the resources I’ve put together over the years, and it will help you focus on the lifestyle, mindset, and nutrition pieces of the puzzle that will make the most difference for you. Healing is a journey, but with the right tools, knowledge, and support, it’s one you don’t have to face alone.

Click here to get instant access to the Resource Roadmap!

Resources:?

1. Physiology of Circulation | SEER Training
2. Anatomy, Blood Flow – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
3. Clinical Approach to Post-acute Sequelae After COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination – PMC
4. Hematological alterations associated with long COVID-19 – PMC
5. Cardiovascular involvement in autoimmune diseases – Autoimmunity – NCBI Bookshelf
6. Frontiers | Cardiac damage in autoimmune diseases: Target organ involvement that cannot be ignored
7. Cardiovascular symptoms in patients with systemic mast cell activation disease – ScienceDirect
8. Mast Cells in Cardiovascular Disease: From Bench to Bedside – PMC
9. Potential COVID Spike Protein Detoxification Regime Discussed in Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) – BioSpace
10. Bromelain: a review of its mechanisms, pharmacological effects and potential applications – Food & Function (RSC Publishing)
11. Modulation of NRF-2 Pathway Contributes to the Therapeutic Effects of Boswellia serrata Gum Resin Extract in a Model of Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis – PMC
12. Curcumin and cardiovascular diseases: Focus on cellular targets and cascades – ScienceDirect
13. Nattokinase: An Oral Antithrombotic Agent for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease – PMC
14. Lumbrokinase attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting TLR4 signaling – PubMed
15. Meta-analysis on the safety and efficacy of Lumbrokinase in peripheral arterial disease | European Heart Journal. Acute Cardiovascular Care | Oxford Academic

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. ? The information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations or relationship with your physician. ?Please review references sited at end of article for scientific support of any claims made.