Causes Circulatory problems are rarely linked to a single cause. Rather, they usually come as a consequence of multiple risk factors. The incidence of poor circulation rises with age, as hardening of the arteries becomes more common.
Gender also seems to play a role in determining who gets certain circulatory problems.
Women, for example, are more likely than men to develop varicose veins. Many circulatory disorders run in families. Lifestyle also wields significant influence. Among the risk factors linked to poor circulation are smoking, obesity and prolonged periods of sitting or standing. Women taking birth-control pills have a higher incidence of circulatory problems, as do people with diabetes.