Swollen ankle and foot

[Ardbeg28]

I have HF and my ankle and foot are a bit swollen and legs feel sore. I am putting it down to the hot weather. I'm raising my feet in bed and drinking my 2 litres max and maybe a little more. Going for a lukewarm Epsom salts bath. Any other tips?

[MDR1]

Try and keep cool and reduce your salt intake. Weigh yourself regularly. If you're retaining fluid your weight will go up.If you're on diuretics the dose might need to be adjusted. If you're worried see your GP.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I get this with my ankle and foot in the heat my Doctor has always said to raise them when I do and as long as they go down when in bed before they swell again they are not worried so you could try that but if they are not going down over night I would see your Doctor

Let us know how you get on x

[mathematics]

Try some lemon barley water to drink and even parsley tea as it can help take care it can be frustrating when your ankles and feet swell up all the time.

[1234_6]

Hi Ardbeg

Sorry you are feeling uncomfortable.

The hot weather won't be helping but do ensure that you keep drinking enough.

Do see your GP if feet / ankles/legs are very swollen and / or painful or sorejust in case you need a medication change.

Generally ..

Try & avoid knocks & bumps as tender stretched dry skin when feet / ankles / legs are swollen is very susceptible to damage, & sores can unfortunately be very prone to ulcerate.

Make sure you keep feet and legs well moisturised with E45 Cream or similar or just a very good body lotion, in order to stop skin getting too dry & sore & to try & maintain some elasticity in the skin.

Always apply creams in gentle movements from toes & heels working upwards over the ankles and upwards towards the knee to assist circulation to move back to the heart.

You could also try dry body brushing with a very gentle brush but be careful if skin is sore. Again always work upwards from feet towards the heart.

Put feet up when you can, but don't sit still too long either.

If you have to be on your feet for long periods of time

- wear non-elastic topped socks - so that the elastic doesn't dig in & make ankles / legs sore

- make sure shoes have a deep enough foot bed or fixings can be adjusted for when feel swell later in the day - so that the shoes themselves do not make your feet even more sore

- try flight socks or support stocking.... they work using pressure to assist the circulation - but do ensure that you have the right size.

You could try a Lymph Drainage Massage but make sure the therapist offers that speciast technique.

[Ardbeg28]

Thanks for all the great tips from everyone. I have noticed my swelling goes down after a night in bed with feet raised on two cushions. That's a good sign. I have had HF since 2011 and 2nd time I've experienced this, when I go for cardiology check ups every 6months they always ask if swollen ankles. I have not put on weight I'm 52k. I may call the heart nurse, last time I was told to make sure I drank plenty and I was allowed to take a double doze of my furosemide (40mg, usual doze 20mg) but only for two days. Of course I was running to the toilet more, however it helped the swelling. I'm sure the new nurse (I moved address so I have a new nurse) would help me if I called.

I'll try some other tips mentioned but not the flight socks without consulting, and it's too hot for socks at moment.

I'm sure it'll pass when it cools down a bit, it's really not that bad but wanted some other tips. I'll get some lemon barley water and try parsley tea, a change from water and the redbush tea I drink. Also I'll moisturise legs more.

Thanks again everyone.

[Lezzers]

Hi, I would ask your nurse if it's possible you could have venous insufficiency. Basically if the valves in your legs aren't working properly the blood pools at your feet & ankles & your legs, usually below your knee, get tight. If the swelling goes down when you rest/elevate your legs, particularly overnight, then it could be venous insufficiency. My husband also has had HF since 2012, he's recently been told he probably has venous insufficiency & sometimes its difficult to determine if it's fluid he's retaining or not. His ankles & feet have been swelling most days recently & his legs have been very solid but he elevates his feet overnight & legs, feet & ankles are back to normal the next morning, so probably not fluid retention at all. Apparently a bit of a giveaway is your ankles can be a mottled colour & you may have varicose veins, my husband does have a few spidery veins in his legs, though quite minor. Would be interested to know what your nurse says, this is new to us so we're still in the learning stages.