Swelling in the Legs, Ankles, or Feet 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.
In this post
What heart condition causes swollen ankles?
If you have congestive heart failure, one or both of your heart’s lower chambers lose their ability to pump blood effectively. As a result, blood can back up in your legs, ankles and feet, causing edema.
Do swollen ankles always mean heart problems?
Swelling in the feet does not always mean that a person has a serious medical condition, but 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.
When should I be concerned about swollen ankles?
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if: you have swelling in 1 ankle, foot or leg and there’s no obvious cause, such as an injury. the swelling is severe, painful or starts very suddenly. the swollen area is red or feels hot to the touch.
What swollen feet tell you about your heart?
A struggling heart can’t produce the power necessary for proper circulation, leading to a buildup of fluids in the feet. Shortness of breath and fatigue accompanied by swollen feet tends to suggest poor heart health.
What are the first signs of a weak heart?
Heart failure
- Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down.
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Reduced ability to exercise.
- Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus.
- Swelling of the belly area (abdomen)
What are the signs of an unhealthy heart?
11 Common signs of an unhealthy heart
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest discomfort.
- Left shoulder pain.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Heartburn, stomach pain or back pain.
- Swollen feet.
- Lack of stamina.
- Sexual health problems.
What stage of heart failure is edema?
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.
What are the 4 stages of congestive heart failure?
There are four heart failure stages (Stage A, B, C and D). The stages range from “high risk of developing heart failure” to “advanced heart failure.”
Stage C
- Shortness of breath.
- Feeling tired (fatigue).
- Less able to exercise.
- Weak legs.
- Waking up to urinate.
- Swollen feet, ankles, lower legs and abdomen (edema).
Can blocked arteries cause swollen ankles?
Swollen feet or ankles can be a sign of an artery problem or heart failure.
What does a swollen ankle mean with no pain?
Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is also known as peripheral edema, which refers to an accumulation of fluid in these parts of the body. The buildup of fluid usually isn’t painful, unless it’s due to injury. Swelling is often more apparent in the lower areas of the body because of gravity.
What deficiency causes swollen feet and ankles?
Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Edema
“A significant B12 deficiency can lead to peripheral neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction, where the blood vessels dilate,” he says. This causes fluid to leak out of the blood vessels, leading to swelling — or edema — in your tissues, mostly in your lower legs, ankles and feet.
Can high blood pressure cause swollen ankles?
Causes of swollen ankles
This is caused by a whole range of things which include: High blood pressure. High salt intake.
How do you check for a heart blockage at home?
To measure your pulse on your own:
- Get a watch with a second hand.
- Place your index and middle finger of your hand on the inner wrist of the other arm, just below the base of the thumb.
- Count the number of taps you feel in 10 seconds.
- Multiply that number by 6 to find out your heart rate for 1 minute.
What are the signs of heart problems in a woman?
Women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as:
- Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or upper belly (abdomen) discomfort.
- Shortness of breath.
- Pain in one or both arms.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Sweating.
- Lightheadedness or dizziness.
- Unusual fatigue.
- Heartburn (indigestion)
Can your feet show signs of heart problems?
Here are some signs relating to the legs and feet that may be a sign of heart disease: Absent hair growth on the feet. Dry, thinning, and/or shiny skin on your legs and feet.
What is the first stage of heart failure?
Common early symptoms of heart failure include: shortness of breath. difficulty exercising. fatigue and weakness.
What is the best test to check for heart problems?
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
The leads are attached to an ECG machine which records the electrical impulses and prints them out on paper. Your doctor may use an ECG to diagnose a heart attack or abnormal heart rhythms (called ‘arrhythmias’).
What are the warning signs of congestive heart failure?
Some of the signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure include:
- Shortness of Breath. If your loved one has CHF, they may experience shortness of breath.
- Fatigue.
- Edema (Swelling, in the Feet, Ankles, and Legs)
- Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat)
- Persistent Cough.
- Wheezing.
- Changes in Urination.
- Swelling of the Abdomen.
How do I know if my arteries are clogged?
The symptoms of an artery blockage include chest pain and tightness, and shortness of breath. Imagine driving through a tunnel. On Monday, you encounter a pile of rubble. There is a narrow gap, big enough to drive through.
Can you live 20 years heart failure?
In general, about half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive five years. About 30% will survive for 10 years. In patients who receive a heart transplant, about 21% of patients are alive 20 years later.