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The human heart pumps blood to every part of the body through a network of blood vessels which together are called the circulatory system or vascular system. Blood vessels are narrow, elastic tubes which are either arteries that carry blood away from the heart, veins that carry blood back to the heart, or capillaries which are tiny blood vessels that penetrate body tissues and permit the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste between the tissues and the blood. Various types of vascular diseases can affect the circulatory system, some of which are listed below:
Arterial Diseases
- Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked, leading to symptoms of angina (chest pain) or heart attack.
- Carotid artery disease is a narrowing or blockage of the arteries supplying the brain, leading to a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke.
- Peripheral arterial disease occurs when there is a blockage in the blood vessels of the leg, leading to signs and symptoms like changes in skin color, ulcers, and gangrene in severe cases.
- Renal artery disease is a narrowing of the arteries in the kidneys, leading to symptoms like uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure), congestive heart failure, and abnormal kidney function.
Venous Diseases
- Varicose veins are a condition in which the veins become swollen, ropey, bulging, and painful due to damaged valves.
- Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the valves in the leg veins are dysfunctional, making it difficult for blood to return from the legs to the heart, leading to pain and swelling in the legs and ankles.
Clotting Disorders
- Deep vein thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot develops in one or more deeps veins in the body, usually in the legs, causing symptoms like skin discoloration, swelling, and pain.
Aneurysms
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in the lower part of the aorta, the major blood vessel that distributes blood from the heart to the body.
Medications for Circulatory Problems
As noted above, many different conditions can affect the circulatory system. A wide variety of medications are available to treat these conditions, some of which are mentioned below.
Anticoagulants like warfarin, heparin, and rivaroxaban decrease the clotting ability of blood. They are also called blood thinners and are used to prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels. However, anticoagulants cannot dissolve clots that have already formed. They are often prescribed to prevent stroke. They may also be prescribed to people with artificial heart valves to keep the blood thinner than normal because such individuals are at increased risk of clot formation.
Antiplatelet agents like aspirin and clopidogrel prevent blood clots from forming by preventing the platelets from sticking together. They are prescribed to patients with a history of unstable angina, heart attack, TIA, or stroke.
Glycoprotein IIB/IIIA inhibitors like tirofiban, eptifibatide, and abciximab are prescribed to patients who are at high risk of unstable angina. They act by blocking platelet aggregation.
Preserved human serum is available for intravenous administration. Brand names include Albuminar and Buminate. These blood products are used for the treatment of hypovolemic shock, an emergency circulatory condition in which severe blood or fluid loss results in the heart being unable to pump blood to the body.
PDE3 inhibitors, for example, dipyridamole acts by inhibiting platelet aggregation. It is used in combination with aspirin to reduce stroke risk.
Hemorrheologic agents like pentoxifylline (Trental, Pentoxil) improve blood flow by decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of blood. Pentoxifylline is used in patients with circulation problems to reduce symptoms like pain and cramping. This medication allows people with leg cramps to walk further before needing to rest.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Circulation
Some over-the-counter vitamins, minerals, and supplements are believed to improve circulation. These include vitamin E, B vitamins, and iron. Herbal supplements like bacopa, cayenne, ginger, chickweed, butcher’s broom, gotu kola, thyme, turmeric, Ginkgo biloba, and black pepper are also thought to promote good circulation throughout the body. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting any over-the-counter supplements to avoid complications.
Common Side Effects of Circulation Medications
Anticoagulants can cause side effects like rash, diarrhea, bloating, hair loss, and itching. More serious side effects of anticoagulants include bleeding and gangrene.
Common side effects of antiplatelet agents include tiredness, headache, heartburn, upset stomach, stomachache, nosebleed, and diarrhea.
Potential side effects of glycoprotein IIB/IIIA inhibitors include increased risk of bleeding, hypotension (low blood pressure), and bradycardia (slow heart rate).
PDE3 inhibitors can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, and flushing as side effects.
Medications like pentoxifylline can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, belching, upset stomach, and dizziness.
Common Questions
How can I improve my circulation naturally?
One of the best ways to improve your circulation naturally is by exercising, which gets the heart pumping faster and blood flowing through the arteries. Massage by a professional masseuse can help improve circulation in the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems. You should also aim to control stress levels because high stress is associated with constriction (narrowing) of the blood vessels. Staying well-hydrated is another way to improve your circulation.
What is a heart attack?
Like every other part of the body, the heart has its own blood supply through the coronary arteries from which it obtains oxygen and nutrients. If one or more of the coronary arteries become blocked due to the build-up of plaque (cholesterol deposits), the blood supply to the heart is interrupted and a small part of the heart muscle dies. This is known as a myocardial infarction or heart attack.
Can I get a discount on circulatory medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including circulatory medications—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17604-vascular-disease
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/treatment-of-a-heart-attack/cardiac-medications
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000167.htm
https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Albuminar-25-albumin--human--1621
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195739
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a685027.htm
https://www.healthline.com/health/increase-blood-flow-vitamins#natural-remedies
https://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-treatment/common-medications-conditions/anticoagulants
https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/antiplatelet-therapy/
Common Circulatory Health Medications
Circulatory
Get the latest information on common prescription and over-the-counter circulatory drugs.
The human heart pumps blood to every part of the body through a network of blood vessels which together are called the circulatory system or vascular system. Blood vessels are narrow, elastic tubes which are either arteries that carry blood away from the heart, veins that carry blood back to the heart, or capillaries which are tiny blood vessels that penetrate body tissues and permit the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste between the tissues and the blood. Various types of vascular diseases can affect the circulatory system, some of which are listed below:
Arterial Diseases
- Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked, leading to symptoms of angina (chest pain) or heart attack.
- Carotid artery disease is a narrowing or blockage of the arteries supplying the brain, leading to a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke.
- Peripheral arterial disease occurs when there is a blockage in the blood vessels of the leg, leading to signs and symptoms like changes in skin color, ulcers, and gangrene in severe cases.
- Renal artery disease is a narrowing of the arteries in the kidneys, leading to symptoms like uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure), congestive heart failure, and abnormal kidney function.
Venous Diseases
- Varicose veins are a condition in which the veins become swollen, ropey, bulging, and painful due to damaged valves.
- Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the valves in the leg veins are dysfunctional, making it difficult for blood to return from the legs to the heart, leading to pain and swelling in the legs and ankles.
Clotting Disorders
- Deep vein thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot develops in one or more deeps veins in the body, usually in the legs, causing symptoms like skin discoloration, swelling, and pain.
Aneurysms
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in the lower part of the aorta, the major blood vessel that distributes blood from the heart to the body.
Medications for Circulatory Problems
As noted above, many different conditions can affect the circulatory system. A wide variety of medications are available to treat these conditions, some of which are mentioned below.
Anticoagulants like warfarin, heparin, and rivaroxaban decrease the clotting ability of blood. They are also called blood thinners and are used to prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels. However, anticoagulants cannot dissolve clots that have already formed. They are often prescribed to prevent stroke. They may also be prescribed to people with artificial heart valves to keep the blood thinner than normal because such individuals are at increased risk of clot formation.
Antiplatelet agents like aspirin and clopidogrel prevent blood clots from forming by preventing the platelets from sticking together. They are prescribed to patients with a history of unstable angina, heart attack, TIA, or stroke.
Glycoprotein IIB/IIIA inhibitors like tirofiban, eptifibatide, and abciximab are prescribed to patients who are at high risk of unstable angina. They act by blocking platelet aggregation.
Preserved human serum is available for intravenous administration. Brand names include Albuminar and Buminate. These blood products are used for the treatment of hypovolemic shock, an emergency circulatory condition in which severe blood or fluid loss results in the heart being unable to pump blood to the body.
PDE3 inhibitors, for example, dipyridamole acts by inhibiting platelet aggregation. It is used in combination with aspirin to reduce stroke risk.
Hemorrheologic agents like pentoxifylline (Trental, Pentoxil) improve blood flow by decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of blood. Pentoxifylline is used in patients with circulation problems to reduce symptoms like pain and cramping. This medication allows people with leg cramps to walk further before needing to rest.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Circulation
Some over-the-counter vitamins, minerals, and supplements are believed to improve circulation. These include vitamin E, B vitamins, and iron. Herbal supplements like bacopa, cayenne, ginger, chickweed, butcher’s broom, gotu kola, thyme, turmeric, Ginkgo biloba, and black pepper are also thought to promote good circulation throughout the body. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting any over-the-counter supplements to avoid complications.
Common Side Effects of Circulation Medications
Anticoagulants can cause side effects like rash, diarrhea, bloating, hair loss, and itching. More serious side effects of anticoagulants include bleeding and gangrene.
Common side effects of antiplatelet agents include tiredness, headache, heartburn, upset stomach, stomachache, nosebleed, and diarrhea.
Potential side effects of glycoprotein IIB/IIIA inhibitors include increased risk of bleeding, hypotension (low blood pressure), and bradycardia (slow heart rate).
PDE3 inhibitors can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, and flushing as side effects.
Medications like pentoxifylline can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, belching, upset stomach, and dizziness.
Common Questions
How can I improve my circulation naturally?
One of the best ways to improve your circulation naturally is by exercising, which gets the heart pumping faster and blood flowing through the arteries. Massage by a professional masseuse can help improve circulation in the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems. You should also aim to control stress levels because high stress is associated with constriction (narrowing) of the blood vessels. Staying well-hydrated is another way to improve your circulation.
What is a heart attack?
Like every other part of the body, the heart has its own blood supply through the coronary arteries from which it obtains oxygen and nutrients. If one or more of the coronary arteries become blocked due to the build-up of plaque (cholesterol deposits), the blood supply to the heart is interrupted and a small part of the heart muscle dies. This is known as a myocardial infarction or heart attack.
Can I get a discount on circulatory medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including circulatory medications—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17604-vascular-disease
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/treatment-of-a-heart-attack/cardiac-medications
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000167.htm
https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Albuminar-25-albumin--human--1621
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195739
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a685027.htm
https://www.healthline.com/health/increase-blood-flow-vitamins#natural-remedies
https://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-treatment/common-medications-conditions/anticoagulants
https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/antiplatelet-therapy/
Common Circulatory Health Medications
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