Are Swollen Feet A Sign Of Heart Failure?

You may have heard that swollen feet can be a sign of heart failure – where your heart weakens and fails to pump blood effectively – but is this always the case? 

Read on to discover if swollen feet always signify heart failure and what other symptoms to watch out for. 

Heart failure and oedema

Heart failure means your heart cannot pump blood as effectively as it should throughout the body. When this occurs, blood begins to pool at the lowest part of the body (your feet and legs), causing them to swell. 

When blood moves through your body, it should pick up fluids. However, poor circulation due to heart failure retains this fluid in the body’s tissues, leading to a condition called oedema. 

Oedema can develop anywhere but it’s most common in the legs, feet and ankles, as it’s harder for blood to circulate in the body’s lower parts if you have heart failure. 

Heart failure also decreases blood flow to your kidneys, which causes them to hold onto sodium and fluid. The resulting build-up of fluid becomes trapped in your body and causes swelling.  

Other causes of oedema

Heart failure is not the only cause of swollen feet. Other causes can include:

• Gravity: If you’ve been standing or sitting in one place for too long, gravity pulls the body’s fluid down to the feet, causing swelling
  
• Medications: Especially medications used to treat pain or lower blood pressure
  
• High salt intake: Packaged and processed foods can increase your body’s sodium levels
  
• Pregnancy: As your baby grows, the uterus puts pressure on the body’s lower half, affecting circulation

Signs that swollen feet may be due to heart failure

Knowing when swollen feet suggest heart failure can be tricky without the support of a cardiologist. However, there are some signs to beware of. 

Signs that your foot swelling may be due to heart failure include: 

• Breathlessness
• Feeling tired most of the time 
• Struggling to keep up with exercise due to exhaustion
• Feeling lightheaded
• Fainting 

What stage of heart failure does oedema occur?

Swollen feet and oedema can develop at any stage of heart failure. However, you may find that as heart failure becomes more severe, the swelling increases, too. 

When to see a private cardiologist

Since various causes lead to swollen feet, that symptom alone may not be enough reason to seek medical attention for a heart ultrasound. 

Additional symptoms that a cardiologist could investigate include: 

• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained fatigue or weakness
• Heart palpitations
• Pain in the right upper stomach
• Wheezing or coughing
• Chest pain
• Swelling that hasn’t reduced in a while
• A history of heart conditions and lung failure

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. So, if you’re concerned about your symptoms, don’t hesitate to book a consultation with a private cardiologist for a heart check-up. They can conduct various tests to determine whether swollen feet are a sign of heart failure.

Managing swollen feet and heart failure

You can help subside the swelling at home in numerous ways. Lifestyle changes can help to support reduced swelling and cardiovascular health. 

We may recommend lifestyle changes, such as: 

• Decreasing your salt intake 
• Exercising regularly but within your limits
• Managing stress as well and as often as you can
• Limiting your alcohol intake
• Quitting smoking 
• Wearing compression socks to prevent fluid build-up 

Sometimes, you may require medical treatments, such as medications and cardiac surgery. The correct treatment for you will depend on various factors, like your health, age and medical history. 

With our cardiology team’s help, you’ll receive the personalised care and necessary treatment you need to help treat your condition. 

Ready to book your cardiology consultation?

If you have swollen feet, contact Dr Georgios Karagiannis today to schedule your heart check-up. He can offer dedicated, comprehensive care that identifies or excludes any heart problems that cause oedema.