Circulation conditions

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Your body’s circulation system is responsible for sending blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout your body. Poor circulation is not a condition in itself, but results from other health issues. The most common of these conditions include obesity, diabetes, heart conditions and arterial issues.

New blood thinners prove to be safe and effective option for most

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34 Show All 2Blog Posts 23Evidence Summaries 9Web Resource Ratings 4Patient Decision Aids

Web Resource Rating

Preventing deep vein thrombosis
Evidently Cochrane

Compression stockings help to prevent deep vein thrombosis (blood clots and swelling) after surgery. You can choose to wear thigh or knee length stockings.
Evidence Summary

Exercise therapy improves quality of life and physical function in chronic heart failure
Arch Phys Med Rehabil (2018)
Patient Decision Aid

Stroke Prevention: Should I Have a Carotid Artery Procedure?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people who have had a mild (or moderate) stroke or one or more TIAs in the past 6 months and narrowing in your carotid artery decide on whether or not to have a carotid artery procedure by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Evidence Summary

Supervised exercise therapy versus home-based exercise therapy versus walking advice for intermittent claudication.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
Evidence Summary

Compression therapy for prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Patient Decision Aid

Varicose Veins: Should I Have a Surgical Procedure?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with varicose veins decide on whether or not to have a surgical procedure by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options. It also includes alternative options like home care.
Patient Decision Aid

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Should I Get a Screening Test?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people without symptoms or a diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm decide on whether or not to get a screening test by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Screening for carotid artery stenosis final recommendation fact sheet
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Carotid artery stenosis is more common among older men and can lead to a stroke. Healthy adults without symptoms do not need to be screened for carotid artery stenosis.
Evidence Summary

Carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

Subintimal angioplasty for lower limb arterial chronic total occlusions.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Web Resource Rating

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
UpToDate - patient information

Venous thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein, usually in the legs. The clot blocks blood flow and can cause swelling and pain. Details about risk factors, symptoms, treatment and prevention in this resource.
Evidence Summary

Treatment recommendations for people with clots in 1 or more veins (venous thromboembolism)
Chest (2016)
Evidence Summary

Immediate versus delayed treatment for recently symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Home-based supervised exercise may prove an effective, alternative treatment for leg and muscle pain among people living with peripheral arterial disease
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine (2015)
Web Resource Rating

Preventing CVD
Harvard School of Public Health

Simple habits can protect you from heart disease. Do not smoke, maintain a healthy weight, be active, and eat a healthy diet. This resource includes tips to help you follow these habits.
Evidence Summary

In people with blood clots in the leg or certain heart rhythm problems, direct oral anticoagulants reduce deaths due to blood clots or bleeding compared with warfarin
J Thromb Haemost (2015)
Evidence Summary

After a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis), compression stockings do not reduce complications
Am J Med (2015)
Evidence Summary

Oral direct thrombin inhibitors or oral factor Xa inhibitors for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

After drug-coated stents are placed in heart arteries, use of 2 drugs for 1 year or less reduces deaths compared with longer use
Lancet (2015)
Evidence Summary

In acute venous thromboembolism, most anticoagulants have similar benefits, but rates of major bleeding vary
JAMA (2014)
Evidence Summary

Low-molecular weight heparin reduces venous thromboembolism in people with cancer who are undergoing outpatient chemotherapy
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2014)
Evidence Summary

New anticoagulant pills reduce cardiovascular events and do not increase serious bleeding
J Am Geriatr Soc (2014)
Evidence Summary

Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm using ultrasound can reduce risk of death
Ann Intern Med (2014)
Evidence Summary

In people with leg pain while walking, clopidogrel reduces cardiovascular outcomes more than aspirin, and exercise increases walking distance
AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Reviews (2013)
Evidence Summary

For people with atrial fibrillation, new “blood thinners” (factor Xa inhibitors) reduce strokes and clots more than warfarin
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2013)
Evidence Summary

In people with peripheral arterial disease, structured home exercise improves walking distance and activity levels
Br J Surg (2019)
Patient Decision Aid

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Should I Have Surgery?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps individuals with peripheral arterial disease decide on whether to have surgery or try lifestyle changes, exercise, and medicine. It facilitates this process by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Mayo Clinic

Deep vein thrombosis can be caused by prolonged bedrest or sitting for long periods of time. Symptoms include leg pain or swelling in the leg. This condition can be very serious since it increases your risk for pulmonary embolism. If you have signs of DVT, see your doctor.
Evidence Summary

Primary prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in ambulatory cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Pentoxifylline for intermittent claudication.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Self-management support interventions improve patient quality of life and reduce use of hospital care for patients with long-term respiratory and cardiovascular conditions
Health Services and Delivery Research (2014)
Blog Post

Long plane flight? Try compression socks to relieve circulation problems

Are compression stockings a good travel investment for long plane flights? Find out what the research evidence says.
Blog Post

New blood thinners prove to be safe and effective option for most

New types of blood thinners are effective at preventing blood clots and are safe for most older adults.

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