Top heart disease symptom that can show up on your legs
Photo: Which ankle symptom should alert you (Getty Images)
Heart diseases are the leading cause of death. Many of these can be prevented by changing lifestyle habits, such as adjusting diet or quitting smoking. Symptoms of heart disease include not only chest pain and shortness of breath. RBC-Ukraine explains which heart disease symptom can appear on the ankles.
What are the first symptoms of heart failure?
Cardiovascular diseases are a major global health issue. Many patients are unaware that they are ill, so it's important to recognize the characteristic symptoms that may indicate health problems.
Some heart disease symptoms are well-known, such as chest pain and shortness of breath. Others, however, may appear in the least expected places. According to experts, some symptoms can even show up on the ankles.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) warns that swollen ankles could be a potential sign of heart failure. While ankle swelling can have various causes and doesn't necessarily mean you have heart problems, it's worth checking out.
Swollen ankles are a common occurrence and can result from many factors. For example, they may be caused by medications you take, such as blood pressure drugs, explains the British Heart Foundation.
However, as BHF emphasizes, this shouldn’t be ignored. Swollen ankles can be a strong indicator of heart failure, meaning the heart may not pump blood through the body as efficiently as it should, causing fluid to accumulate in the lower limbs.
Therefore, if you have swollen ankles, it’s advisable to schedule an appointment with a general practitioner.
Can swollen ankles be linked to the heart?
Swelling (or edema) can signal heart problems.
When the heart is not functioning properly, blood circulation slows down and backs up into the veins of the legs. This leads to fluid accumulation in tissues.
Swelling in the feet and legs can indicate heart issues. You may also experience abdominal swelling or weight gain.
How to recognize a weak heart?
Heart disease often develops gradually, but early signs or symptoms can appear long before serious heart problems occur. You may not even be aware that heart disease is developing.
Symptoms can be subtle and vary from person to person.
Signs such as chest pain, swollen ankles, or shortness of breath may suggest that something is wrong. Recognizing these symptoms can help you start treatment earlier and prevent a heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms of heart disease include:
- chest pain
- abdominal pain resembling digestive issues
- pain in the arm, jaw, or back
- shortness of breath
- leg pain
- severe fatigue
- rapid or irregular heartbeat
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Sources: British Heart Foundation (BHF), National Health Service (NHS), MedlinePlus.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
