Swelling in the legs, feet or ankles can signal heart failure, according to NHS guidance. The condition, known as oedema, may make it difficult to walk and can ease in the morning but "get worse later in the day."
Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood around the body efficiently, often because it has become too weak or stiff. The NHS notes: "Heart failure is a long-term condition that tends to get gradually worse over time. It cannot usually be cured, but the symptoms can often be controlled for many years."
What causes oedema
Experts at Medical News Today explain that heart failure causes blood pressure to rise within the vessels because the heart cannot pump effectively. "This elevation in pressure forces fluid out of the blood vessels and into the surrounding tissues, resulting in swelling, or oedema," they state.
Oedema can present as swollen or puffy ankles, feet, or legs, skin that looks shiny or stretched, changes in skin colour, discomfort, stiffness, and indentations when pressure is applied to the skin. It can also arise from other causes such as standing or sitting in the same position for too long, eating too much salty food, being overweight, pregnancy, taking certain medicines, thyroid problems, and varicose veins.
Oedema can also be caused by injury, a blood clot, kidney or liver problems, an infection, or an insect sting or bite.
Other heart failure symptoms
Other warning signs of heart failure include breathlessness, which can occur during activity or while resting, and may deteriorate when lying down. People may also wake during the night gasping for breath.
Fatigue is another indicator, leaving sufferers feeling worn out for much of the time and making physical exertion particularly draining. Dizziness and fainting episodes are further warning signs.
Less frequent symptoms can include a persistent cough that worsens at night, wheezing, a swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, fluctuations in weight, confusion, a racing heart rate, and a pounding, fluttering or irregular heartbeat (palpitations). Some heart failure sufferers may also experience bouts of depression and anxiety.
The NHS advises: "See your GP if you experience persistent or gradually worsening symptoms of heart failure." It adds: "Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department as soon as possible if you have sudden or very severe symptoms."
