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Faizan
Disease can harden and constrict your arteries and reduce blood flow to various parts of your body. If this happens, collateral circulation can help improve blood flow to the affected areas. Cardiologist Dr Smeglin says a regular exercise program may help improve collateral circulation. This should include gentle cardiovascular exercises and light resistance training exercises. Consult your doctor before starting your exercise program.
Understanding Collateral Circulation
Peripheral artery disease causes circulation problems and, in extreme cases when the artery is completely blocked, can cause damage to a body part or organ. Your legs are particularly susceptible to peripheral artery disease, although it may also affect your arms. Your body combats the problem by producing smaller collateral vessels to maintain blood flow.
Get Your Heart Pumping
Cardiovascular exercise elevates your heart and breathing rates, increases blood flow through your veins and arteries and may help improve collateral circulation according to a study published in the February 2004 issue of the "Brazilian Journal of Sports Medicine." Low-impact cardio, such as brisk walking, is ideal if you are new to exercise. Warm up with a gentle five-minute walk and then walk briskly for 20 to 45 minutes. As you get stronger, introduce 20 to 45 minutes of jogging or bicycling into your routine. If you have restricted circulation in your legs, stop if you feel pain. Perform your chosen exercise three to five times a week.
Working Your Upper Body
Do resistance training exercises two or three times a week on non-consecutive days to specifically target the parts of your body affected by poor circulation. Targeted exercises can increase blood flow in the affected areas and may help collateral circulation, says the "Brazilian Journal of Sports Medicine." Target your arms and shoulders by combining lateral raises and dumbbell curls. Stand and grasp a dumbbell in each hand with your arms by your side. With the dumbbells facing inward, bend your elbows slightly and raise your arms sideways to shoulder height. Lower the dumbbells, keep your elbows tight to your sides and your upper arms still and then curl the dumbbells to the front of your shoulders by flexing your elbows. Lower the dumbbells and repeat. Using a light dumbbell, do three sets of 12 to 15 reps with one minute's rest between sets.
Working Your Lower Body
Improve the collateral circulation in your legs with body-weight squats. Stand with your feet roughly hip-width apart. Extend your arms in front of you to assist your balance and lower yourself into a controlled squat by bending your knees and pushing your hips backward. Keep your head up and back straight. Stop when your thighs are parallel to the floor and straighten up to your starting position. Do three sets of 15 to 20 reps two or three times a week.
Understanding Collateral Circulation
Peripheral artery disease causes circulation problems and, in extreme cases when the artery is completely blocked, can cause damage to a body part or organ. Your legs are particularly susceptible to peripheral artery disease, although it may also affect your arms. Your body combats the problem by producing smaller collateral vessels to maintain blood flow.
Get Your Heart Pumping
Cardiovascular exercise elevates your heart and breathing rates, increases blood flow through your veins and arteries and may help improve collateral circulation according to a study published in the February 2004 issue of the "Brazilian Journal of Sports Medicine." Low-impact cardio, such as brisk walking, is ideal if you are new to exercise. Warm up with a gentle five-minute walk and then walk briskly for 20 to 45 minutes. As you get stronger, introduce 20 to 45 minutes of jogging or bicycling into your routine. If you have restricted circulation in your legs, stop if you feel pain. Perform your chosen exercise three to five times a week.
Working Your Upper Body
Do resistance training exercises two or three times a week on non-consecutive days to specifically target the parts of your body affected by poor circulation. Targeted exercises can increase blood flow in the affected areas and may help collateral circulation, says the "Brazilian Journal of Sports Medicine." Target your arms and shoulders by combining lateral raises and dumbbell curls. Stand and grasp a dumbbell in each hand with your arms by your side. With the dumbbells facing inward, bend your elbows slightly and raise your arms sideways to shoulder height. Lower the dumbbells, keep your elbows tight to your sides and your upper arms still and then curl the dumbbells to the front of your shoulders by flexing your elbows. Lower the dumbbells and repeat. Using a light dumbbell, do three sets of 12 to 15 reps with one minute's rest between sets.
Working Your Lower Body
Improve the collateral circulation in your legs with body-weight squats. Stand with your feet roughly hip-width apart. Extend your arms in front of you to assist your balance and lower yourself into a controlled squat by bending your knees and pushing your hips backward. Keep your head up and back straight. Stop when your thighs are parallel to the floor and straighten up to your starting position. Do three sets of 15 to 20 reps two or three times a week.
Posted in: Exercise and Fitness
