Pulmonary Vasculature Responsiveness to Phosphodiesterase-5A Inhibition in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Possible Role of Plasma Potassium
Sign In The Foot That Could Signal Heart Failure, Liver Disease Or Blood Clots
This common symptom is usually nothing to worry about but if it persists it could indicate something life-threatening. Experts have warned that swelling in the feet could signal serious health issues (Image: Getty)
Experts have urged people to speak to a doctor if they experience a potentially painful symptom in the feet that does not go away. Swollen feet could signal a myriad of dangerous health issues, from heart failure to blood clots.
It's not uncommon to experience swelling in your feet and ankles every now and then. It can occur after a lot of walking, standing, or in hot weather.
If this is the case, resting and elevating your feet is usually enough to restore them to normal. However, if the swelling continues, it could signal something far more serious.
Experts at Harvard Medical School in the US explained: "If it persists, you likely need to see a doctor because swelling (also called oedema) can be a red flag for a more serious underlying problem, such as heart failure, deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a leg vein), kidney disease, or cirrhosis of the liver. So it's important to determine the cause of your foot and ankle swelling.
"When you are on your feet a lot, gravity pulls blood into the veins of your legs, and some of the water in the blood enters the tissues of your legs and feet, causing them to swell. But there are also some conditions that can cause similar swelling because they affect the movement of fluids within the body."
Swollen feet could signal a myriad of dangerous health issues from heart failure to liver disease and blood clots (Image:
Getty) Deep vein thrombosisDeep vein thrombosis, which is also known as DVT, happens when a blood clot forms in a vein - usually in the leg. These clots can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart, leading to swelling of the legs and feet.
If not treated quickly, the blood clots can break loose and travel in the blood to the lungs, causing a dangerous pulmonary embolism. Clots can also travel to the heart, leading to heart attacks, and the brain, causing strokes.
Harvard Medical School warned: "Usually, the clots occur in only one leg, and so just one leg is unusually swollen. While a new swelling of both legs and feet often is not serious, new swelling of just one leg is always something to bring to your doctor."
Other symptoms of DVT include:
If you have heart failure, it means the heart cannot pump as effectively as it should. Therefore, blood in the leg veins that should be pumped back to the heart instead gathers in the veins, causing fluid to leak into the feet and lower legs.
Other signs of heart failure to look out for include:
Image:
Getty) Liver diseaseAccording to Harvard, some types of liver disease can lead to low blood levels of a protein called albumin, which is made in the liver. "Low albumin levels cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues, producing swelling not only of the legs and feet, but also other parts of the body such as the hands and face," it said.
Other symptoms of liver disease include:
Swollen feet can also be caused by kidney disease as fluid can build up in the tissues if disease makes it hard for the kidneys to get rid of excess fluid in the body (one of the main functions of the kidneys).
Other symptoms of kidney disease can include:
Experts at Harvard explained when to seek help. They said: "Report your symptoms to your doctor if there's so much swelling that it leaves an indentation if you press your finger into it, or if it has developed suddenly, lasts for more than a few days, affects just one foot, or is accompanied by pain or discolouration of the skin.
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"Finally, don't make your own diagnosis. Sometimes, swelling in the feet is the first clue that you have heart failure or liver or kidney disease, and your doctor needs to consider those possibilities."
Of course, swollen feet may not point to something serious, but it is important to get it checked out, especially if it is persistent or combined with other symptoms.
Quick Three-second Test On Legs Can Reveal Deadly Heart Failure
This simple three-second test on your legs could uncover a potential symptom of heart failure (Image: Getty)
A simple three-second test could reveal a potentially deadly health condition, according to experts. It may seem strange but pressing down on your leg could indicate if you have heart failure, alongside some other dangerous diseases.
Heart failure is a serious health condition that means that the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly. This typically occurs because the heart has become too weak or stiff.
The NHS explains that there is no cure for heart failure. It is a long-term condition that tends to get gradually worse over time.
Although there is no cure, the symptoms can often be controlled for many years. Therefore, it's important to spot any potential warning signs as soon as possible.
A lesser-known symptom can affect the legs and can be checked using a simple test. The Mayo Clinic in the US lists pitting oedema as a potential sign of heart failure.
Oedema is swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body's tissues. It can affect any part of the body but is most common in the legs and feet.
To know for sure if you have oedema you can press down on your skin for a few seconds. If the dimple created holds its position for a while rather than disappearing quickly, this is oedema.
If the simple stays in the skin for a while and doesn't disappear immediately it is oedema (Image:
Getty)The clinic describes a sign of oedema as: "Skin that holds a dimple, also known as pitting, after it's been pressed for a few seconds."
Other markers of oedema are:
Experts at the clinic revealed more about the link between oedema and heart failure. They said: "Congestive heart failure causes one or both of the heart's lower chambers stop pumping blood well. As a result, blood can back up in the legs, ankles and feet, causing oedema.
"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."
Oedema doesn't necessarily point to heart failure though, it can also be a sign of liver or kidney problems . It can also have less sinister causes like medication and sitting for too long (Image:
getty)However, oedema can also be a sign of liver damage, kidney disease, and deep vein thrombosis. It can also have some less serious causes such as pregnancy, sitting in one position for two long, eating too much salty food, and certain medications like blood pressure drugs and steroids.
Other signs of heart failure to look for include:
If you experience any of these symptoms or unexplained oedema you should speak to a doctor.
What's The Difference Between Left- And Right-Sided Heart Failure?
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Heart failure occurs when the heart can't pump blood as well as it should. It can affect either the left side of the heart (left-sided heart failure) or the right side (right-sided heart failure). Heart failure can cause a variety of symptoms depending on which side is affected.
In left-sided heart failure, the left side of the heart cannot efficiently pump blood to the body. This can lead to a backup of blood in the lungs and symptoms like coughing and tiredness.
Right-sided heart failure happens when the right side of the heart can't adequately pump blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. This can cause blood to back up in the veins and cause symptoms like swelling and nausea.
Left-sided heart failure usually occurs first. Right-sided heart failure is typically a result of left-sided heart failure. Both affect the heart's ability to circulate blood to vital organs throughout the body.
Depending on whether heart failure affects the heart's left or right side, symptoms can be a bit different. You might experience the following symptoms with left- or right-sided heart failure: Symptoms of Left-Sided Heart Failure Symptoms of Right-Sided Heart Failure Difficulty breathing or catching your breath Nausea Cough Loss of appetite Fatigue, extreme tiredness despite good rest Stomach pain Weakness Swelling in the lower legs, stomach, and neck veins Bluish lips and fingers Increased urination Problems concentrating Unexplained weight gain Difficulty sleeping while lying flat The main difference is that left- and right-sided heart failure occur in their respective sides of the heart. Each type has different underlying causes, and one is more common than the other. Their Causes The most common causes of left-sided heart failure are coronary artery disease (restricted blood flow to your heart due to plaque buildup in your coronary arteries) and hypertension (high blood pressure). Other risk factors of left-sided heart failure include: Diabetes Smoking Obesity Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle) An inactive lifestyle Right-sided heart failure is often caused by left-sided heart failure. As the left ventricle (lower chamber) weakens, pressure in the heart rises and causes fluid to back up into the lungs. This fluid eventually moves into the right side of the heart. Other conditions that can lead to right-sided heart failure include: Pneumonia Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot that travels to the lungs) Acute respiratory distress syndrome Pulmonary hypertension (high pressure in the lungs) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other lung diseases Number of Subtypes Left-sided heart failure has two main types: systolic failure and diastolic failure. In systolic heart failure, the heart's left lower chamber doesn't contract well, which reduces its force for pumping blood. Diastolic heart failure happens when the left ventricle becomes too stiff to fill with blood properly during rest. Right-sided heart failure isn't broken down into any specific types. Prevalence Left-sided heart failure is more common than right-sided heart failure. Estimates suggest that over half of people with heart failure have left-sided heart failure. Both left- and right-sided heart failure can cause problems for other organs. Fluid Retention Causes Symptoms When the heart doesn't pump enough blood, fluid builds up in the body, causing symptoms like swelling, weight gain, and shortness of breath. Drinking lots of liquids and consuming too much sodium can add to fluid retention. Some people with either type of heart failure may need to take medications such as diuretics to remove the excess fluid. They may also need to weigh themselves regularly and check their pulse and blood pressure. Strain on Organs Left- and right-sided heart failure can strain the heart and other organs, potentially even leading to liver or kidney damage. Reduced blood flow to the kidneys may impair their function and result in fluid buildup and elevated waste levels in the body. Heart failure can also cause congestion in the liver, which can lead to scarring and reduced function over time. Other possible complications from either type of heart failure include arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), heart valve disease, and, in severe cases, sudden cardiac arrest. Treatment Options Medications, lifestyle changes, and implantable cardiac devices are common treatments to reduce symptoms and improve function for either type of heart failure. Lifestyle changes may include maintaining an optimal weight, avoiding or quitting smoking, managing stress, getting enough rest, adjusting fluid and salt intake, and avoiding alcohol. Medications vary by the type and class of heart failure you have but may include drugs to manage blood pressure and fluid retention. Devices and procedures are usually reserved for people with heart failure who don't respond to lifestyle changes and medications. In such cases, devices like implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) may help monitor heart rhythm and treat dangerous heartbeats. It's possible to have both left- and right-sided heart failure. When both sides of the heart are affected, it is called biventricular heart failure. This condition causes symptoms similar to each type of heart failure, including shortness of breath and fluid buildup. With both sides of the heart compromised, biventricular heart failure can lead to more severe limitations in daily activities and may require a combination of treatments. If you notice any symptoms of heart failure, contact your primary healthcare provider so they can diagnose or rule out heart failure. If you already have a heart failure diagnosis, let your cardiologist (heart specialist) or other healthcare provider know about any sudden worsening of symptoms. Symptoms to watch for include: Quick weight gain Shortness of breath, especially at rest Increased swelling in legs or ankles Stomach pain or swelling Difficulty sleeping Persistent dry cough Difficulty concentrating Nausea and loss of appetite loss Heart palpitations Mood changes, such as sadness or depression Left-sided and right-sided heart failure are two conditions that affect the way the heart pumps blood. Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up in the lungs, often leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing. Right-sided heart failure causes blood to back up in the veins, leading to swelling in the legs, ankles, and abdomen. Left-sided heart failure is more common and may lead to right-sided failure. Treatment options for either condition include lifestyle changes, medications, and implantable devices to help manage symptoms and improve heart function.Thanks for your feedback!
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