You always experienced some ankle swelling after coming home from work. But recently, your ankles have been puffy even when you wake up in the morning. Why?
Ankle swelling can occur as a result of heart failure, infections, strains, sprains, obstruction of the venous system, pregnancy, obesity, arthritis, electrolyte
problems, kidney failure , prolonged sitting or standing.
Heart disease , specifically congestive heart failure , can be a difficult to diagnose since it typically progresses slowly over time. It is a condition which affects the entire body.
Congestive heart failure can be caused by high blood pressure, heart attacks, infections, hyperthyroidism , or other conditions. These conditions put a strain on the heart and decrease the heart's pumping ability. It becomes difficult for the heart to supply an adequate blood flow to the rest of the organs. The heart grows larger and fluid can back up into the lungs, lower legs and other organs. watch video
Symptoms you may experience are cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, weight gain, racing heart, less urine production. Congestive heart failure will need to be diagnosed by your doctor or a cardiologist who may perform a heart ultrasound, blood work, chest xray, and other heart testing. You may be given medications to decrease the fluid concentration in your body, asked to limit your salt intake, stop smoking and stay active. Some medications you may already be taking may make heart failure worse, so speak with your doctor.
Listen to your body!