Poor blood circulation tests at home

you can do 3 simple at-home screening checks that may strongly suggest poor circulation—especially to the legs, feet, hands, and fingers.

✅ 1. Capillary Refill Test (Most Practical Home Check)

This checks how fast blood returns to your skin after pressure.

How to do it:

1. Sit comfortably.

2. Press firmly on:

   • The tip of your toe or finger

   • Or the sole of your foot

3. Hold for 5 seconds until the skin turns pale.

4. Release and count how many seconds it takes for color to return.

Normal:

• ✅ Color returns in under 2 seconds

Suggests Poor Blood Flow:

• ⚠️ Takes more than 3 seconds

• ⚠️ Uneven refill between left and right side

This is commonly used by doctors as a first circulation check.

✅ 2. Buerger’s Test (Gravity Blood Flow Check)

This shows how well blood reaches your feet under gravity changes.

How to do it:

1. Lie flat on your bed.

2. Lift both legs to 45° for 1 minute

3. Watch the color of your feet.

4. Now sit up and let your legs hang down.

Normal:

• ✅ Feet stay pink

• ✅ Quickly return to normal color when lowered

Suggests Poor Blood Supply:

• ⚠️ Feet turn pale or white while raised

• ⚠️ Turn deep red or bluish when lowered

• ⚠️ Delayed color return (>15 seconds)

This is a classic screening test for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).

✅ 3. Temperature + Color Comparison Test

This checks if one limb consistently gets less blood.

How to do it:

1. Use the back of your hand

2. Compare:

   • Both feet

   • Both hands

   • Both calves or forearms

3. Also check:

   • Skin color

   • Presence of shininess

   • Hair loss on legs

Red Flags:

• ⚠️ One foot/hand is always colder

• ⚠️ Skin looks bluish, purple, or very pale

• ⚠️ Shiny, tight skin + hair loss on legs

• ⚠️ Frequent numbness or tingling

These point toward chronic reduced circulation.

🚨 Strong Warning Signs (Do NOT Ignore)

If any of these are present, see a doctor urgently:

• Pain in calves while walking that stops with rest

• Non-healing wounds on toes or feet

• Blackened toes

• Sudden cold, pale limb

• Loss of pulse in foot

Want to fix your hypoglycaemia and high blood sugar.

Then comment help to get started!