Although persistent swollen feet and ankles can indicate serious heart problems, people often do not take this complaint seriously. People are more likely to attribute this to the warm weather, age, stress or a condition they already have, the Dutch Heart Foundation reports after research.
Only 35 percent of people say they make an appointment with their doctor if they have swollen ankles and feet for more than two months. Women (39 percent) raise this problem slightly more often than men (31 percent). The Heart Foundation advises people who have swollen ankles for a longer period of time to ask their doctor if it is the heart.
Complaints
‘On a hot day, many people get swollen feet and ankles. Not immediately alarming, but if you’re holding on to fluids for weeks, it could mean the heart isn’t pumping enough blood. This may indicate heart failure. This often also causes other complaints, such as shortness of breath, fatigue and having to get out of bed more often at night to urinate,’ according to the patient organization.
Run check
According to the foundation, a good way to check whether too much fluid is being retained is by pricking the ankle with a finger. ‘If you see a dent that is slowly disappearing, you are retaining too much fluid. If you take off your socks in the evening, you will see a clear print on your ankles. If this continues for weeks, it is wise to consult your doctor.’
Quarter of a million people
According to the Hartstichting, an estimated quarter of a million people in the Netherlands are walking around with heart failure without realizing it. Heart failure is a serious disease in which the heart does not pump enough blood. As a result, organs do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients and waste products are not properly removed.
Source: ANP
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