If you have heart failure, your feet, ankles and legs may feel puffy and swollen. If you press a finger into your ankles, it may leave a mark that takes a while to go away. You may find that your shoes start feeling too tight and your feet feel uncomfortable.
Your doctor may call this type of swelling edema.
Your body stores extra fluid if you have heart failure. Your heart isn't pumping as much blood through your blood vessels as usual. So your body tries to increase the amount of fluid in your blood vessels by holding onto extra fluid.
Your body makes a chemical called angiotensin that raises your blood pressure and tells your kidneys to store as much salt and water as they can. You may find that you pass less urine.
Because your heart can't pump properly, blood doesn't move around your body as well as it normally would. This causes the extra fluid to leak from your blood vessels. When you stand up or sit up, gravity makes the fluid collect in your ankles and feet.
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This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved. |
