swollen ankles

[Cimmy]

hi I know it’s a bit random but my ankles have become very swollen at night, has this got any thing to do with my heart. I’m so frightened. I’ve also got a pain in my shoulder which comes and goes. Is it related or am I just being a silly. I do suffer from really bad anxiety and have gone through a massive life trauma, so just need some reassurance I suppose. Can’t talk to my husband as he is not well with cancer. Thank you for reading

[Lezzers]

Hi Cimmy

Swollen ankles aren't necessarily anything to do with your heart. There is a condition called venous insufficiency which also causes your ankles to swell at the end of the day. This isn't a life threatening condition but it is uncomfortable, I believe it's very common if you have varicose veins or prominent veins. A lot of people have swollen ankles at the end of the day if they've been on their feet a lot, the weather can also affect them.

I would suggest you have a talk with your GP who may want to do some tests to find out what's causing the problem.

Good luck

[Cimmy in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you so much for your comforting reply. I will make app with gp on Monday I think, just to get some clarity. Thanks again Take care

[Lezzers in reply to Cimmy]

Swelling ankles are definitely not something to be ignored but hopefully it'll be nothing too serious. Meanwhile, keep your feet elevated & if you're concerned or you start getting breathless then contact nhs111 for advice as this could be a sign of a heart condition

Good luck

[Cimmy in reply to Lezzers]

The doctor knows about my swollen ankles and didn’t seemed to concerned but said it was something to keep an eye on. But I’m such a worry wart lol

[Lezzers in reply to Cimmy]

That's good to know that your Dr isn't concerned but did he give a reason as to why it's happening? If not, ask him to do some tests, a simple NT-proBNP blood test will be show if there's a possible heart connection.

Best wishes to you & your husband, I hope both you & your husband are being well supported with his cancer.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Ankles that swell can be due to numerous things as well as shoulder pain but we always jump to the worst scenario especially if we already suffer with anxiety and you are dealing also with your Husband been ill which I am sorry to read

Make an appointment with your Doctor because they can take a look and hopefully it will give you peace of mind

Let us know how you get on x

[Cimmy in reply to BeKind28-]

Hi and thank you for your kind reply. I will go to dr on Monday, just for peace of mind. I really don’t have any other symptoms except for sheer tiredness but I put a lot of that down to my anxiety. I will let you know how it goes. Take care

[BeKind28- in reply to Cimmy]

x

[pickypolly2 in reply to BeKind28-]

I Medication c an cause this. I have had this problem for years. See your doctor for advice x x

[theonethatgotaway1]

Hi there. I have heart failure and have had a heart attack in the past. Swollen ankles and shoulder/chest pain especially left side are classic danger signs to watch out for and to be investigated immediately. If the shoulder pain is with chest pains too, then it's an emergency response and proceed to your nearest AnE department or call 999.

[LeafLeaf in reply to theonethatgotaway1]

Excellent reply!

[ETHEL103]

Hi sorry about your hubby,I wonder if you are on any meds that cause swollen ankles ask because I know Amlodopine caused this in me some years ago

[GrannyE in reply to ETHEL103]

It did that to me too

[Dylandog2 in reply to GrannyE]

And me! Changed to Ramipril and they have improved a little, though as ever, there are other side effects to watch out for such as how kidney function may be impacted.

[mathematics]

Get it checked out by your doctor again. I used to get swollen ankles a lot and doctors said it was bad circulation I found relief with soaking my feet in epsom salts and drinking parsley tea and lemon barley water. Take care.

[TAVIshock]

yes swelling of ankles is a frequent symptom of cardiac problems. Don’t worry but do see a doctor asap

Best

Tavishock

[LeafLeaf in reply to TAVIshock]

Excellent advice!

[sandandkev]

You haven't said how old you are,as with age our veins in legs aren't as good,I get one swollen ankle from venous insufficiency due to having one abated,I do have mild coronary heart disease but my heart function is good,it is hard not to worry and so sorry your hubby has cancer so that won't help either,I lost my hubby 2 yrs ago,and feel everything got to me but am slowly learning to trust what drs say and not what I think, take care and though hard try not to worry too much

[Stent2024]

do you take amlodepine by any chance ? As this is a common side effect

[Larneybuds]

Good morning...swollen ankles can be the result of different things. It can be heard related....or kidneys but can be due to other things going on in your body. If your husband is poorly it could be that you are possibly on your feet a lot but whatever is causing it is worth a visit and chat to your gp. You mention in a reply to someone's that you have seen your GP but if you are now getting shoulder pain I would go back and express your concerns just to put your mind at ease. Don't put it off because as you say, you are frightened, so going to the doctor again will put your mind at ease. Take care x

[momander]

Hi Cimmy ,Swollen ankles cam be used by many things, not necessarily your heart. Perhaps the best thing would be to speak.with your GP. That way you may get answers and peace of mind. Good luck.

[irishwife93]

The swollen ankles could be your heart or it could just be normal in this hotter weather. If one ankle is more swollen than the other (usually the left) it’s more likely to do with the left side of your heart not pumping the blood and fluid around your body very efficiently and this can be exacerbated by the weather. If both ankles are equally mildly swollen I’d say it’s more likely normal swelling due to heat. But you’re better off going to your GP than having all of us try to diagnose you! Take a picture of the swollen ankles with the camera on your phone and show them. As for the shoulder pain I’m not really sure.

Take care and please try not to worry! ❤️

[Murderfan58]

Cimmy I have having problems with my legs from knees to ankles swelling and my left arm for couple of months . I wasn't worried as my BP which I take daily was within its normal range and had no chest pain. But the swelling was causing me pain which I can handle as have been in constant pain all my life due to my neurological condition. It my legs that are feeling like they are being strangled . The skin on my legs especially my left got very tight red and shiney.

My weight is fluctuating between 1-4lbs a day . I can put on 4 lb overnight . I have been sticking to my cal allowance so know it's not fat.

I can feel the need to the loo then have to sit there for 5 mins or more and it's like a waterfall . I know haven't got an UTI and all my normal blood tests came back within normal ranges.

I saw my GP and having to have a blood test just for my heart. I know my liver and kidneys are fine.

I am not worried but annoyed as some days can only wear a pair of tatty trainers to go out.

I know how worried you are especially with your husband having cancer . Been in that situation unfortunately my husband died aged 47, 20 years ago.

And I know you are very worried about your symptoms which makes the worry about your husband worse. But please talk to your husband as he will have noticed you are worried and he will think it's him causing your extra worry.

When my husband was terminal he said I had to tell him how I was feeling as he could see when I in more pain. As he thought it was him causing me more pain but it was just my neurological condition.

I realised physical health can cause mental health problems and vise versa. I didn't have my neurological condition diagnosis until 2022 I was 63 and was born with it. Plus only found out I was born with a small hole in the side of my heart in 2020/2021. I have PAF and on Flecainide and Apixaban. And have the rare hereditary Hyperekplexia gene mutation SLC6A5 type 3.

Hope this has helped. And you most definitely aren't silly. 🤗

[Ironfloor173]

No one on here cold possibly give you an accurate diagnosis. Go and see your GP for either reassure or treatment.

[Alphakiwi]

Cimmy ,i have it to,its uncomfortable. I try to keep my legs elevated when sitting.Colin

[FraserB]

Your doctor can help and may give you a prescription for special compression stockings. One of my family member has what you have and the stockings help enormously.

[Sartrou in reply to FraserB]

mm, yes I was told so. For me it made things much worse when I took them off, and I found them hugely uncomfortable and almost impossible to put on and off myself. However yes many people find them very helpful

[Loftybob]

Hello are you on blood pressure tablets x

[Sartrou in reply to Loftybob]

Good point. Some of them make legs orange and swollen, can’t remember name

[Sartrou]

hello Cimmy,

Sorry you fee so worried. I had a similar problem after my hip replacement, doctor not helpful, it also got worse after a high blood pressure medication which I replaced with Losartan which seems to suit me. In the end I bought an articulated bed and sleep with slightly elevated legs. After a few months problem disappeared. Expensive but worth it. Good luck

[Davey77]

Possibly only good and appropriate advice I've ever had from my GP was to raise my feet higher at night. I have a rolled-up sleeping bag along the foot of the bed, but that might not be possible with a partner. Although trying to raise them too high can put strain on the hips.

[C66t]

See what gp says 1st. You are dealing with a lot and that blasted(oops)anxiety is a right pest. Try if you can find the time,to lie down on your bed and put your feet up the wall(higher than your heart) for 20/30mins a day, it sounds a long time but I got used to it and it does work. Also try drnk more water .maybe listen to music . I m sorry your husband is ill I will keep you and your hubby in my prayers. Let us know how doc visit goes.🥰

[Beanlover]

My ankles have swollen, more recently and GP has put me on a diuretic which gets rid of fluid which is retained in your body. My husband has it aswell. It can be related to your heart, but good to get doctor to look at it.