This
past
summer,
when
Donald
Trump’s
medical
team
claimed
that
the
President
had
been
diagnosed
with
chronic
venous
insufficiency,
many
of
us
learned
that
this
was
just
a
common
form
of
vein-related
poor
circulation,
which
may
impact
a
good
chunk
of
the
population.
Curious
what
the
exact
symptoms
of
poor
circulation
were,
I
spoke
with
Dr.
Sukgu
M.
Han,
a
vascular
surgeon
and
co-director
of
the
USC
Comprehensive
Aortic
Center
with
Keck
Medicine
of
USC.
Venous
—
or
vein-related
—
circulation
issues
can
cause
a
pooling
of
blood
in
body
parts,
such
as
the
legs
and
feet,
because
the
vessels
are
not
circulating
the
blood
back
from
the
arteries
to
the
heart
properly.
“The
most
common
vein
problems
are
leg
swelling,”
Han
said,
though
other
experts
we
have
spoken
to
also
cite
leg
cramps
and
leg
heaviness.
Han
explained
that
normal
circulation
is
key
to
the
body’s
healing
process
because
it
helps
supply
the
necessary
blood
and
oxygen
to
cuts
and
scrapes
that
most
of
us
experience
daily.
Otherwise,
these
can
develop
into
ulcers
and,
even
limb
loss
in
more
advanced
stages.
Han
was
careful
to
note
that
there’s
an
important
distinction
between
the
vein-related
impediments
discussed
above
and
“arterial”
circulation
issues,
which
affect
the
movement
of
blood
from
the
heart
to
various
parts
of
the
body
–
though
these
two
separate
conditions
may
cause
similar
symptoms,
depending
on
the
part
of
the
body
is
being
impacted.
“If
there
are
any
symptoms
that
[you’re]
experiencing
chronically,
I
think
seeking
care
from
a
vascular
surgeon
or
vascular
specialist
and
doing
the
necessary
testing
to
diagnose
the
problem
early
is
very
important,”
Han
said.
With
that
disclaimer
in
mind,
Han
helped
to
suggest
the
upcoming
selection
of
over-the-counter
products
that
can
help
improve
mild
to
moderate
cases
of
poor
circulation.
The
experts
consulted
for
this
story
do
not
necessarily
endorse
the
products
ahead
unless
otherwise
noted.
1.
A
pair
of
compression
socks
with
93,500+
Amazon
ratings
Podiatrists
have
previously
referred
to
compression
socks
or
stockings
as
“the
gold
standard”
for
treating
foot,
leg
and
ankle
swelling,
so
it’s
no
surprise
that
Han
also
suggested
these
accessible
items
as
a
routine
choice
for
treating
poor
circulation,
especially
when
it
comes
to
venous-related
circulation
problems.
“[They]
prevent
leg
swelling,
support
venous
return
and
reduce
the
consequences
of
poor
venous
circulation
from
getting
worse
and
reaching
the
advanced
stages
of
ulcers,
[which]
are
open
wounds
in
the
toes,
feet
or
fingers,”
Han
said.
In
terms
of
over-the-counter
compression
socks
or
stockings,
Han
didn’t
mention
any,
however,
we
frequently
feature
this
popular
pair
of
knee-high
socks
with
over
93,500
Amazon
ratings.
made
with
an
athletic
knit
fabric
and
have
targeted
compressive
support
on
the
heel,
foot
and
calf
to
avoid
squeezing
your
joints.
Their
compression
level
is
20-30
mmHg
(a
commonly
prescribed
grade
of
pressure),
and
they
are
available
in
three
different
sizes.
2.
Or,
a
pair
of
rubber
high-level
compression
stockings
Han
explained
that
compression
stockings
come
in
different
grades
and
can
even
come
in
perscription
strengths
depending
on
the
degree
of
venous
insufficiency.
Taking
that
into
consideration,
we
selected
this
pair
of
natural
rubber
and
nylon
stockings
because
they
offer
40-50
mmHg
of
pressure
—
a
level
of
strength
that
is
typically
considered
medical
grade
and
often
used
for
chronic
venous
insufficiency,
according
to
the
sock’s
maker.
The
high-stretch
material
promises
to
be
comfortable
and
offer
a
“custom-like
fit,”
according
to
the
brand.
They
come
in
several
gender-neutral
sizes,
length
options
and
both
an
open-toe
and
closed-toe
design.
3.
A
tool
to
help
put
on
high-pressure
compression
stockings
“The
drawback
of
using
compression
stockings
that
are
really
high
in
pressure
is
that,
even
though
they
support
the
best,
they
are
also
the
most
challenging
to
put
on
because
they
are
very
small
and
tight,”
Han
said.
To
help
make
these
socks
easier
to
put
on
and
thus
be
worn
more
consistently,
Han
said
that
there
are
tools
available.
We
found
this
soft
Donner
device,
specifically
made
for
compression
garments
and
for
those
with
limited
mobility.
It’s
essentially
a
rubber
sleeve
that
helps
roll
on
a
compression
stocking
and
ensure
proper
placement.
4.
A
wedge
pillow
to
help
keep
legs
elevated
“I
usually
tell
my
patients
who
have
venous
insufficiency,
when
they
sleep
at
night,
to
elevate
their
legs
above
their
heart
level
and
use
gravity
to
their
advantage
in
draining,”
Han
said.
According
to
Han,
using
elevation
pillows
to
help
achieve
this
will
reduce
leg
swelling
caused
by
poor
circulation
and
make
compression
stockings
more
effective.
This
particular
wedge
pillow
was
previously
suggested
to
us
by
a
podiatric
surgeon
for
its
ability
to
comfortably
elevate
legs
and
features
a
design
that’s
optimal
for
reducing
foot
swelling.
Made
from
high-density
foam
and
covered
in
a
removable
and
machine-washable
case,
this
pillow
can
also
be
used
as
a
back
pillow
to
help
reduce
back
pain
and
prevent
acid
reflux.
5.
Leg
massager
boots
recommended
by
podiatrists
Han
agreed
that
leg
massage
machines
can
help
relieve
symptoms
caused
by
poor
circulation,
as
have
other
experts
in
the
past.
We’re
told
that
this
is
because
this
lymphatic-type
massage
is
a
way
to
help
draw
fluid
away
from
the
lower
extremities.
One
of
the
compression
boots
recommended
to
us
is
this
popular
pair
by
Fit
King,
which
uses
large
air
chambers
throughout
the
boot
to
stimulate
real
kneading.
These
knee-high
boots
have
two
massage
modes,
offer
10
different
massage
techniques
and
three
intensity
levels.
6.
A
pair
of
heated
therapy
mittens
Han
said
that
cold
hands
and
feet
can
sometimes
be
associated
with
poor
circulation,
and
warming
items
applied
to
the
impacted
extremities
can
help
in
dilating
microcirculation,
which
can
improve
blood
flow
through
the
smaller
blood
vessels.
Based
on
his
guidance,
we
selected
this
pair
of
machine-washable
therapy
mittens
that
can
be
warmed
in
the
microwave
to
provide
a
steady,
moist
heat
to
the
hands.
They
are
filled
with
heat-retaining
flaxseed,
clay
beads
and
lavender
for
soothing
aroma
therapy.
7.
A
heated
foot
massager
Similar
to
the
purpose
of
the
mittens
above,
this
plush
foot
device
offers
warming
support
for
the
feet,
with
the
added
benefit
of
compressive
massage.
It
features
one
level
of
soothing
heat
and
kneading
shiatsu-style
massage
on
the
soles
of
the
feet.
Promising
review:
”The
best
part
of
this
item
for
me
is
the
fact
that
there
are
no
foot
dividers,
so
the
massage
is
not
limited
to
my
feet
bottoms.
I
can
massage
my
medial
or
lateral
sides
too,
and
sometimes,
those
are
the
places
I
really
want
to
massage.
The
massage
pressure
is
just
right,
too.
You
can
keep
the
heat
on
or
off
while
you
massage,
and
you
can
also
turn
the
heat
on
without
massaging,
and
just
use
it
as
a
foot-warmer.
It
has
become
a
useful
part
of
my
office
furniture.”
—
F.O
8.
A
fish
oil
supplement
that’s
rich
in
omega
fatty
acids
For
arterial
circulation
issues,
Han
said
that
fish
oil
and
omega
fatty
acids
have
been
shown
to
be
beneficial,
whether
as
a
supplement
or
in
your
daily
diet.
We
selected
these
daily
supplement
capsules,
which
have
4.6
out
of
5
stars
on
Amazon
and
don’t
have
a
strong
fishy
flavor,
according
to
plenty
of
reviews.
You
should
always
speak
to
your
own
medical
health
professional
before
taking
supplements
of
any
kind.
The
original
version
of
this
story
was
published
on
HuffPost
at
an
earlier
date.