Heart failure, a type of that happens when the heart can't pump blood around the body due to it becoming too stiff or weak, is believed to affect over a million people in the UK. Each year sees about 200,000 new diagnoses.
The reveals that nearly 40 percent of those living with the condition have early stages of heart failure that could've been detected before they fell seriously ill. While chest pain and shortness of breath are common symptoms associated with heart issues, there are less obvious signs that can appear in unexpected places, such as your feet.
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Swollen feet could be an indicator of heart failure, according to the Mayo Clinic. This medical condition, known as oedema, can also impact the ankles and legs.
"Congestive heart failure causes one or both of the heart's lower chambers to stop pumping blood well," leading to blood backing up in the legs, ankles, and feet, causing oedema. The also lists oedema in the ankles and legs as one of the "most common" signs of heart failure, which may improve in the morning and worsen later in the day.
Oedema caused by heart failure could also result in swelling in the stomach, reports . The Mayo Clinic has warned that: "Congestive heart failure can also cause swelling in the stomach area.
"This condition also can cause fluid to build up in the lungs. Known as pulmonary oedema, this can lead to shortness of breath." If you notice persistent swelling in your ankles, feet, or legs that doesn't subside after a few days or worsens, it's time to ring up your GP.
But don't jump to conclusions – the swelling isn't a surefire sign of heart failure; it could be down to something as simple as a sprain or an insect bite.
Oedema, the medical term for swelling, might also occur if you've been parked in one spot for too long, if you're carrying extra weight, expecting a baby, or if you're on certain meds like steroids or antidepressants.
Heart failure doesn't come with a one-size-fits-all set of symptoms – they vary from person to person and can either hit you like a ton of bricks or creep up slowly over weeks or months.
The more common signs include:
- Breathlessness – this may occur after activity or at rest; it may be worse when you're lying down, and you may wake up at night needing to catch your breath
- Fatigue – you may feel tired most of the time and find exercise exhausting
- Feeling lightheaded and fainting.
Other symptoms are:
- A persistent cough, which may be worse at night
- Wheezing
- A bloated tummy
- Loss of appetite
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Confusion
- A fast heart rate
- A pounding, fluttering or irregular heartbeat (palpitations).
