Sign of silent killer that affects over a million Brits can be spotted in ankles

18 December 2023 , 23:46

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Swollen ankles can be a sign of heart disease (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Doctors have warned of a sign in the ankle that could mean you have heart failure and should visit the hospital as soon as possible.

The vital organ is responsible for pumping blood around the body. Therefore, it's critical that it's in complete working order, as without it, the consequences could be fatal. Cardiovascular disease is one of the biggest killers in the UK, statistically responsible for almost a quarter of the country's deaths per year. More than a million Brits are living with heart failure, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Luckily, the NHS has educated the nation on symptoms of heart disease, including chest pain, which is also known as angina. However, there are a plethora of other lesser-known traits that, if we're made aware of, could possibly save our lives, including swollen ankles.

Professor David Newby, from the British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence at the University of Edinburgh, has warned: "This shouldn’t be ignored, especially if the ankles get really big, as it can be a marker of heart failure, but it is also very common and has lots of other causes. It could just as easily be from tablets you are taking – for example, blood pressure medication can lead to swollen ankles.”

If you notice that you have swollen ankles, or swelling in other areas, which is known as Oedema, Newby recommends booking an appointment with your GP as soon as possible.

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The Mayo Clinic elaborated: “Oedema occurs when tiny blood vessels in the body, also known as capillaries, leak fluid. The fluid builds up in nearby tissues. The leak leads to swelling.”

However, it's important to remember that in cases of heart failure, oedema can take place anywhere in the body, not just the ankles. The Mayo Clinic added: “Congestive heart failure causes one or both of the heart's lower chambers to 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 edema, this can lead to shortness of breath."

As explained by Professor Newby, there could be no reason to panic. Swollen body parts can be caused by sitting in a position for too long, consuming large quantities of salty food, being premenstrual and being pregnant. In addition, it's also a side effect of medicines treating blood pressure, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, steroids and diabetes.
However, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Other symptoms of heart disease include:

• Chest pain
• Feeling sweaty
• Arm, leg, jaw or back pain
• Sweating
• Stomach pain
• A choking sensation
• Extreme fatigue
• Irregular heartbeat.

James Sweetnam