Swollen ankles are not only a sign of kidney disease, but can also be a sign of

Swollen ankles are a common condition that is often overlooked or thought to be caused by too much standing or walking.

However, doctors say swollen ankles can be a warning sign that the heart is overloaded or weakened, requiring timely attention and examination.

The heart acts as a pump, working continuously to push blood throughout the body, carrying oxygen and nutrients to every cell, while removing waste. A steady flow of blood helps sustain life and ensures that all body functions take place normally.

When the heart is weakened or overworked due to an unscientific lifestyle, genetic factors or underlying disease, the body will send out warning signals.

In addition to common symptoms such as persistent fatigue, shortness of breath or chest pain, many people also experience swelling of the ankles, also known as edema, according to the Hindustan Times.

Swollen ankles can be a sign of heart problems.

Illustration: AI

Swollen ankles can be a sign of heart problems.

When the heart fails to pump blood effectively, blood pools in the veins. The increased pressure causes fluid to leak out of the blood vessels and seep into surrounding tissues, especially in the ankles and legs, said Sunrendra Nath Khanna, Head of Adult Cardiac Surgery and Heart-Lung Transplant at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon, India.

He further explained that when the heart is weak, the body reacts by retaining salt and water, due to the activity of the hormonal system and kidneys. This makes the swelling worse.

The heart and kidneys are closely related. When one organ has a problem, the other is easily affected, making it more difficult to control fluid in the body.

Signs of heart-related edema

Edema associated with heart disease often has several characteristic features. The patient may have swelling in both ankles, feet, or both legs.

This condition is more obvious in the evening. When you press on the swollen area, the indentation will remain for a while before returning to normal, this is a sign of pitting edema.

In addition to swelling, the patient may experience other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, especially when lying down or at night, a feeling of persistent fatigue, persistent cough, unusually rapid weight gain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, dizziness or confusion.

These symptoms are common in people with heart failure, indicating fluid buildup in the body or ineffective blood circulation, according to Khanna.

If you feel tired easily, gain weight quickly and have signs of swelling, this could be an early sign of heart disease and should be checked by a doctor soon.

When to see a doctor?

Patients should see a doctor immediately if swelling appears suddenly, causes severe pain, only one leg is swollen, the swollen area is hot or red, accompanied by difficulty breathing or chest pain.

Rapid weight gain is also an alarming sign, specifically when weight increases by about 1 to 1.5 kg in just one day or 2.5 kg within a week.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sung-mat-ca-chan-khong-chi-la-dau-hieu-benh-than-ma-con-co-the-benh-nay-185250818001119417.htm