Circulation and cardiovascular conditions
Overview
Circulation refers to the continuous movement of blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing waste products. The cardiovascular system — composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood — plays a vital role in sustaining life and maintaining homeostasis. When circulation is impaired or cardiovascular function declines, it can lead to conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, peripheral artery disease, or heart failure [1,2].
Conventional medicine focuses on managing risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation through medication and lifestyle modification. Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) approaches can work alongside medical care to enhance circulation, regulate blood pressure, strengthen the heart, and improve vascular health through nutrition, movement, stress reduction, and energy balance [3,4].
Common Causes and Contributing Factors
Circulatory and cardiovascular imbalances can result from a combination of physical, emotional, and environmental influences [2,5]:
- Poor diet – High intake of saturated fats, refined sugars, and salt contributes to hypertension and plaque buildup.
- Sedentary lifestyle – Lack of movement weakens the cardiac muscle and reduces blood flow.
- Chronic stress – Increases cortisol and adrenaline, raising blood pressure and heart rate.
- Smoking and alcohol – Damage blood vessels and impair oxygen delivery.
- Hormonal and metabolic disorders – Diabetes, thyroid imbalance, or obesity strain the cardiovascular system.
- Genetics and ageing – Inherited risk factors and reduced vascular elasticity with age.
- Inflammation and oxidative stress – Contribute to endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness.
Signs and Symptoms
Circulatory or cardiovascular problems may present subtly at first but can progress to serious illness if untreated. Common signs include:
- Cold hands or feet
- Swelling in the legs or ankles
- Fatigue or dizziness
- Chest discomfort or palpitations
- Shortness of breath during exertion
- Tingling or numbness in extremities
- Slow wound healing or varicose veins
In more advanced cases, symptoms such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or fainting require urgent medical evaluation [6].
Holistic and TCIH Approaches
Integrative care supports healthy blood flow, vascular resilience, and cardiac function by addressing both physiological and energetic imbalances:
- Nutrition and Naturopathy – Emphasise heart-healthy foods rich in antioxidants, fibre, omega-3s, and polyphenols; herbs such as hawthorn, garlic, turmeric, and ginkgo may assist vascular tone and cholesterol regulation [7,8].
- Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – Aim to harmonise heart and kidney meridians, calm the mind (Shen), and promote qi and blood circulation [9].
- Ayurveda – Addresses Rakta Dhatu (blood tissue) balance with herbs like arjuna and practices to pacify excess Pitta (heat/inflammation).
- Yoga Therapy and Breathwork – Improve heart rate variability, lower blood pressure, and strengthen the cardiovascular system through gentle movement and parasympathetic activation [10,11].
- Mindfulness and Stress Management – Reduce sympathetic arousal and inflammatory stress responses; meditation and relaxation techniques enhance cardiac coherence and emotional regulation [12].
- Massage and Manual Therapies – May improve venous return, lymphatic drainage, and overall circulatory flow.
- Energy Healing and Reiki – Support emotional release and balance of the heart chakra, fostering calm and vitality.
Self-Care and Lifestyle Practices
Simple daily practices can support optimal circulation and cardiovascular health:
- Engage in regular aerobic activity such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
- Practise deep breathing or guided relaxation to support blood pressure regulation.
- Choose whole, plant-based foods and reduce processed or fried options.
- Stay hydrated and limit caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco use.
- Maintain a healthy posture and stretch regularly to support venous flow.
- Prioritise adequate sleep to support cardiovascular repair and hormone balance.
- Spend time in nature or engage in creative pursuits to reduce emotional stress.
When to Seek Professional Support
Seek prompt medical attention for chest pain, persistent shortness of breath, dizziness, or swelling that worsens over time. Regular cardiovascular check-ups are essential, especially for those with hypertension, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.
A verified SoulAdvisor practitioner specialising in naturopathy, yoga therapy, acupuncture, breathwork, or mindfulness-based stress reduction can complement your medical care. Integrative approaches aim to restore energetic and physical balance, promoting vitality, emotional stability, and a resilient heart–mind connection
Therapies that may assist circulation and cardiovascular conditions:
References
1. Circulatory system. Wikipedia; 2025.
2. Neale, R E, Thompson, B, Waterhouse, M, McLeod, D S, Armstrong, B K, Baxter, C, Hartel, G, Kimlin, M G, Rahman, S T, van der Pols, J C, Venn, A J, & Whiteman, D C. Vitamin D supplementation and major cardiovascular events: The D-Health randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. BMJ; 2023.
3. Kaminsky, D A, Guntupalli, K K, Lippmann, J, Burns, S M, Brock, M A, Skelly, J, DeSarno, M, Pecott-Grimm, H, Mohsin, A, LaRock-McMahon, C, Warren, P, Whitney, M C, & Hanania, N A. Effect of yoga breathing (pranayama) on exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized, controlled trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine; 2017.
4. Li, X, Chang, P, Wu, M, Jiang, Y, Gao, Y, Chen, H, Tao, L, Wei, D, Yang, X, Xiong, X, Yang, Y, Pan, X, Zhao, R, Yang, F, Sun, J, Yang, S, Tian, L, He, X, Wang, E, Yang, Y, & Xing, Y. Effect of Tai Chi vs aerobic exercise on blood pressure in patients with prehypertension: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open; 2024.
5. Hobbs, D A, George, T W, Lovegrove, J A, & Methven, L. Dietary nitrate from beetroot juice reduces central blood pressure in healthy adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Frontiers in Physiolog; 2019.
6. Miranda-Ramos, V, López-Sobaler, A M, Ortega, R M, & González-Rodríguez, L G. Optimized aged black garlic supplementation reduces blood pressure in grade I hypertension: A triple-blind randomized controlled trial. Nutrients; 2023.
7. Razmpoosh, E, Safi, S, & Mazaheri, T. The effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors: A crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial among overweight women. European Journal of Nutrition; 2021.
8. Zamani, M, Tabrizi, R, Rezaei, S, Lankarani, K B, Akbari, M, & Mirhosseini, N. Green tea supplementation and cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Nutrition; 2022.
9. Zhang, Y, Wang, J, Liang, W, Pan, W, & Wang, Y. ffects of Tai Chi on essential hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine; 2023.
10. Al-Otaibi, N, Al-Bahlal, A, & Al-Khalifa, M. Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on blood pressure: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice; 2024.
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