A condition called Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), occurring most often in people over age 65 with heart disease and/or diabetes, is a common cause of poor leg circulation. PAD results when blood vessels, narrowed by fatty plaque buildup, can't deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to keep tissues healthy.

Leg pain is an early syptom; foot and leg ulcers are a sign that PAD, and poor leg circulation, are progressing. Advanced PAD can develop into Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), where tissue becomes so damaged it starts to die (gangrene). At that point, amputation may be required. So far, no prescription treatment is available to slow the progression of PAD. But research is underway.