"Signs like ankle swelling or weight gain do not necessarily mean you have heart disease, but taken together with other symptoms of heart disease, laboratory studies, and family history, they are an important part of making a diagnosis of heart disease or heart failure," says Carl E.
Swelling (edema) in your lower legs is another sign of a heart problem. When your heart doesn't work as well, blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in your legs. This causes fluid to build up in your tissues. You may also have swelling in your stomach or notice some weight gain.
While swelling in the feet can occur due to a number of reasons, it does not always mean that a person has a serious medical condition. However, it can be an important early warning sign of heart disease or other health issues, particularly if it persists, recurs, or occurs alongside other symptoms.
Edema can affect any part of the body. But it's more likely to show up in the legs and feet. Medicines and pregnancy can cause edema. It also can be the result of a disease, such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, venous insufficiency or cirrhosis of the liver.
See a GP if: 1 or both of your ankles, foot or legs are swollen and: it has not improved after treating it at home for a few days. it gets worse.
One important thing to keep in mind is that ankle swelling can last 2-3 months after the injury, even if the pain has completely gone away. Compression socks can alleviate the swelling, but time is the best medicine. More severe ankle sprains may require additional treatment.
Although swelling of the feet and ankles can be a minor problem, it can also be an indication of more serious illnesses such as heart failure, renal failure, or liver failure. The abnormal buildup of fluid in the body is called edema.
Patients in the end stages of heart failure want to know what to expect. The symptoms of end-stage congestive heart failure include dyspnea, chronic cough or wheezing, edema, nausea or lack of appetite, a high heart rate, and confusion or impaired thinking.
Heart failure can cause swelling in the feet and other parts of the body, such as the abdomen. The swelling may come and go, but it often lasts for long periods.
Mild ankle swelling is very common and usually harmless. However, it's important to understand what can cause swollen ankles so you can seek urgent treatment if necessary. These are the eight most common swollen ankles causes: Standing or walking for extended periods of time.
Chronic swelling in the legs as a symptom by itself isn't typically a medical emergency. "Call and make an appointment with your primary care physician or cardiologist," said Dr. Bhakta.
Symptoms can develop quickly (acute heart failure) or gradually over weeks or months (chronic heart failure).
There may be times that your symptoms are mild or you may not have any symptoms at all. This doesn't mean you no longer have heart failure. Symptoms of heart failure can range from mild to severe and may come and go. Unfortunately, heart failure usually gets worse over time.
High blood pressure rarely causes swollen feet or ankles itself. However, medication that is used to combat the effects of blood pressure, such as calcium channel blockers, can cause swollen feet and ankles.
Go to the emergency room or call your local emergency number if you have heart failure and have gained more than 5 pounds in a week. Also seek help if you can't lie flat, are short of breath at rest, have increased swelling and discomfort in the lower body, or have a constant, hacking cough.
Signs and symptoms of heart failure include the following: Exertional dyspnea and/or dyspnea at rest. Orthopnea.
Your chance of developing heart failure increases if: You're 65 years old or older. Aging can weaken and stiffen your heart muscle. Your family health history includes relatives who have or have had heart failure.
Heart Failure: Quick Facts
2. About half of people who develop heart failure die within 5 years of diagnosis. 3. Most people with end-stage heart failure have a life expectancy of less than 1 year.
Actually, heart failure means that the heart isn't pumping as well as it should be. Congestive heart failure is a type of heart failure that requires seeking timely medical attention, although sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably.
Swelling after an injury is because of inflammation, but swelling in the lower extremities without any apparent cause can be a sign of some serious underlying health condition. So get immediate medical help if you notice swelling in your ankles or feet.
You can experience water retention in the legs, ankles, or feet as well as the face and hands. It's caused by fluid buildup in body tissues. Sitting for a long time during the workday or on plane flights, hormone changes during pregnancy, and even standing for too long can all cause this to happen.