Are Weighted Blankets Bad For Circulation?

Are you experiencing numbness, cold extremities, or tingling sensations in your hands and feet? 

These are common signs of poor circulation, and while it may seem harmless, ignoring it can lead to more serious health complications. 

In this post, we’ll dive into whether weighted blankets may be affecting your circulation and what you can do to alleviate the discomfort.

• Monitor for signs of restricted circulation, like tingling or numbness, when using a weighted blanket.
  
  

• Consult your doctor if you have conditions like diabetes, varicose veins, or heart issues before using a weighted blanket.
  
  

• Follow the 10% rule for blanket weight, but adjust based on your body’s response.
  
  

• A weighted blanket should not restrict movement or cause discomfort; listen to your body and choose the right weight.
  
  

• Consider the material of your blanket—natural fabrics like cotton promote better circulation compared to synthetic options.

• Slow blood flow means slower healing of leg ulcers: When blood can’t move properly, wounds like ulcers take longer to heal. Pressure from a heavy blanket may stop oxygen and nutrients from reaching the skin.

• Past blood clots can make leg swelling worse under pressure: If you’ve had a blood clot (like DVT), added weight can make your legs feel heavier or more swollen. Damaged veins may struggle even more with extra pressure.

• Heavy blankets might increase clot risk for some people: In rare cases, too much pressure may raise the risk of blood clots by slowing blood movement. This is more likely in people with clotting disorders or poor circulation.

• Watch your body for warning signs after using one: Look out for swelling, pain, or skin that feels cold to the touch. These could be signs your blood flow is getting worse. If you’re unsure, talk to your doctor first.

• A weighted blanket can make circulation worse if it’s too heavy: People with diabetes often worry about whether weighted blankets are safe, and that concern makes sense. If a blanket is too heavy, it can reduce blood flow, something already at risk for people with diabetes.

• Nerve damage from diabetes makes it harder to feel pressure or pain: Diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage from high blood sugar, can make it hard to sense discomfort. That means if a weighted blanket causes pain or injury, you might not even notice it right away.

• Keeping too much weight on your feet can make diabetic foot problems worse: Diabetic foot syndrome is a serious issue where high blood sugar harms nerves and blood vessels in the feet. Too much pressure from a heavy blanket can slow healing or make problems worse.

• Choosing a lighter blanket is safer for people with diabetes: To stay safe, go with a lighter blanket. If you start feeling tingling, numbness, or any kind of discomfort, it’s best to stop using it immediately.

• It’s important to ask your doctor before using a weighted blanket: Before you try a weighted blanket, talk to your doctor. They can help decide what’s safe for your specific condition.

• A blanket that makes your limbs go numb is too heavy: If your weighted blanket leaves your arms or legs tingling or numb, it’s likely pressing too hard on your blood vessels and cutting off healthy circulation.

• People with circulation problems may need an even lighter blanket: Conditions like diabetes or varicose veins can make you more sensitive to pressure, so even a standard-weight blanket might be too much for healthy blood flow.

• If your body feels off, your blanket might be too heavy: Pay attention to how your body reacts. If something doesn’t feel right, like pressure or discomfort, it’s a sign your blanket may be too heavy for your circulation.

• Heavy Blankets Can Restrict Circulation: Too much pressure from a heavy blanket can limit circulation, especially in veins and arteries, leading to discomfort.

• Restricted Circulation May Cause Discomfort: When blood flow is blocked, it may cause pain, numbness, or tingling, particularly in the limbs.

• Low Blood Pressure Can Affect Circulation: Blood pressure lower than 60 mm Hg over time can reduce circulation and cause insufficient blood flow.

• Circulation Issues Require Extra Caution: If you have poor circulation or conditions like diabetes, you should be extra careful when using a weighted blanket.

• Watch for Signs of Restricted Blood Flow: Numbness, tingling, or discomfort could signal that circulation is being restricted, and you should take action.

• Lighter Blankets Can Be Safer for Circulation: Choosing a lighter weighted blanket can still offer calming benefits without putting too much pressure on circulation.

• Weighted Blankets Can Impact Circulation Weighted: blankets can impact circulation, particularly for those with heart conditions. It's crucial to understand how they might affect your health, as they apply pressure that could have different effects on individuals with heart conditions.

• Considerations for High Blood Pressure: People with high blood pressure might find that the pressure from a weighted blanket helps them feel more grounded. However, it’s essential to check with a doctor first before using one.

• Monitoring Reactions for Sensitive Individuals: For some sensitive individuals, a weighted blanket may cause exaggerated blood pressure drops or surges, making it important to monitor how your body reacts to the blanket.

• Risks for Heart Failure and Fluid Retention: If you have heart failure, using a weighted blanket could worsen symptoms like fluid retention. The added pressure can hinder circulation, and the blanket may interfere with lymphatic drainage, leading to more fluid buildup.

• Caution for Heart Murmurs or Congestive Heart Failure: People with heart murmurs or congestive heart failure, where the heart struggles to pump blood effectively, should be cautious. The added pressure from the blanket could disrupt circulation and worsen these conditions.

• Consult a Healthcare Provider: While some people may find comfort from weighted blankets, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider before using one to ensure it is safe for your specific condition.

If you find it hard to shift or roll over under your blanket, it might be too heavy for your body type. 

A good weighted blanket should feel like a hug, not like it's pinning you down. If you're struggling to adjust positions or wake up with aches from staying still too long, it's likely too much. 

You should always be able to move comfortably without feeling trapped or stiff the next morning.

• Heavy Blanket Traps Heat and Reduces Airflow: A blanket that’s too heavy can trap heat and reduce airflow, making you feel sweaty or uncomfortable during the night.

• Polyester or Fleece Blankets Increase Discomfort: Polyester or fleece blankets can hold in body heat, increasing discomfort and contributing to overheating.

• Overheating Disrupts Sleep and Causes Night Sweats: When you feel overheated, your sleep can be interrupted, or you may experience night sweats, signaling the blanket is too heavy.

• Choosing the Right Blanket Weight Can Help: A blanket that’s 8 to 12 percent of your body weight and made of breathable fabric can help keep you cool and comfortable.

• Tossing Off the Blanket Signals It’s Too Heavy: If you find yourself constantly throwing off the blanket to cool down, it’s a clear sign it’s too heavy for your needs.

• Waking up sore means the blanket is working against you: If you wake up sore or more tired than when you went to bed, your blanket might be weighing you down, literally. A too-heavy blanket can strain your muscles or joints, especially if you sleep in one position too long.

• Pain in your neck or back can be from the heavy weight: You might feel stiffness in your neck, shoulders, or back. This discomfort often shows the blanket is too much for your body, especially during long hours of sleep.

• Feeling more tired in the morning is a bad sign: If you wake up feeling worn out instead of well-rested, your blanket might be too intense. A weighted blanket should help you sleep better, not leave you exhausted.

• A proper blanket should help you rest, not feel like exercise: The right weighted blanket should help you relax and sleep deeply. If it feels like you worked out all night, it's definitely too heavy.

• Pressure in your chest means the blanket is too heavy: Some people notice tightness or pressure in their chest when using a weighted blanket that’s too heavy. This is your body’s way of saying the weight isn’t comfortable or safe.

• Difficulty taking deep breaths is a red flag: If the blanket makes it hard to take deep breaths, it’s pushing down more than it should. Your lungs need to move freely for restful sleep.

• Avoiding sleep positions or waking up gasping is not normal: If you wake up out of breath or avoid lying on your back to escape the pressure, the blanket is doing more harm than good. That kind of discomfort shouldn’t be part of your sleep.

• A calming blanket should never make breathing harder: Weighted blankets are meant to calm you, not make breathing harder. If breathing feels restricted, the weight is simply too much.

• Feeling trapped under the blanket can cause panic: If you’ve ever felt anxious or panicked under a weighted blanket, the pressure might be too much. Instead of calming you down, it can make you feel stressed and uneasy.

• A heavy blanket can make claustrophobia worse: People with claustrophobia, fear of tight or closed spaces, can feel smothered under too much weight. It’s similar to the fear some feel in lifts or tunnels. The blanket makes it feel like there’s no easy way out.

• Too much weight makes it hard to move freely: When a blanket is too heavy, it can make you feel stuck. Not being able to move easily can increase anxiety, especially if you're already feeling nervous or uncomfortable.

• The blanket should make you feel safe, not stressed: You’re supposed to feel calm and relaxed under a weighted blanket. If you feel overwhelmed or your heart starts racing, that’s a sign it may be too heavy for you.

• Frequent waking can indicate too much pressure: If you're waking up often during the night, the weight of your blanket could be making it hard to stay asleep.

• Difficulty turning over means the blanket is too heavy: A heavy blanket may restrict your movement, making it hard to turn or adjust your position without waking up.

• Restlessness can be a sign of trapped pressure: Feeling stuck or confined under the blanket might cause you to toss and turn more than usual, disrupting your sleep.

• Sleep should be restful, not a struggle: If you're constantly battling with your blanket for comfort, it’s a sign that it might be too heavy for you.

• Uneven Weight Distribution Causes Discomfort: If the blanket’s weight is unevenly distributed or too heavy, it can put pressure on specific areas like your hips, shoulders, or knees, leading to pain and discomfort.

• Focused Pressure Leads to Strain and Soreness: When weight concentrates on just one area, it can cause strain over time, leaving you feeling sore or fatigued when you wake up in the morning.

• Even Weight Distribution Prevents Discomfort: A well-made weighted blanket should distribute its weight evenly across your body to avoid excessive pressure on any one spot, helping to reduce discomfort.

• Consider a Lighter Blanket for Better Comfort: If you wake up feeling sore or under pressure in certain spots, switching to a lighter or better-designed blanket can provide a more comfortable night's sleep.

• Proper Use Won’t Affect Blood Flow: Weighted blankets are designed to provide gentle pressure that doesn’t interfere with normal blood flow in healthy individuals. Their purpose is to calm, not restrict.

• Heavy or Misplaced Blankets Can Impact Circulation: If a weighted blanket is too heavy or not placed correctly, it can press too hard on your limbs, potentially reducing circulation and causing discomfort like numbness or tingling.

• Consult a Doctor with Circulatory Conditions: If you have a circulatory condition, it's important to consult a doctor before using a weighted blanket to make sure it won’t negatively impact your circulation.