CBS.com; CBS All Access; CBS News; CBSN; Watching Live TV. All Access Live TV; TV Provider
Thick blood is caused by a variety of conditions, such as heavy proteins in the blood, too much blood in circulation or a blood clot system imbalance, according to Southeastern Medical Oncology Center. Diseases such as cancer and lupus can also lead to thick blood. Continue Reading.
Peripheral artery disease and high blood pressure. If high blood pressure is left untreated for a long time, it can put extra strain on the arteries in your arms and legs and may cause the blood vessels in the legs to narrow, causing painful cramps. High blood pressure can cause your arteries to become more narrow. They can also damage the arteries, and fatty deposits can build up around the areas of damage. These deposits make the arteries narrower still and this results in poor circulation in the legs and feet. These problems are known as peripheral artery disease (PAD)