how does the colour of your skin show a cardiovascular problem?
Cyanosis: Blueness or purple coloring of skin. Cyanosis is a severe condition indicating a lack of oxygen in the blood supply. This can arise due to various severe illnesses that inhibit circulation or oxygen takeup.
Localized cyanosis can also occur in areas of poor circulation such as the hands and fingers in Raynaud’s phenomenon. Cyanosis may also be described as purple skin or dark skin in some cases.
Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is a condition resulting in a particular series of discolorations of the fingers and/or the toes after exposure to changes in temperature (cold or hot) or emotional events. Skin discoloration occurs because an abnormal spasm of the blood vessels causes a diminished blood supply to the local tissues. Initially, the digit(s) involved turn white because of the diminished blood supply. The digit(s) then turn blue because of prolonged lack of oxygen. Finally, the blood vessels reopen, causing a local “flushing” phenomenon, which turns the digit(s) red. This three-phase color sequence (white to blue to red), most often upon exposure to cold temperature, is characteristic of RP.
Raynaud’s phenomenon most frequently affects women especially in the second, third, or fourth decades of life.