Cardiologists use a system called the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Classification to divide heart failure into four stages based on the severity of those four symptoms. While swollen feet and legs are a known heart failure sign, doctors don’t associate them with a certain stage of heart failure. That said, swelling in the feet is typically a sign of right-sided heart failure, which usually occurs after left-sided heart failure has progressed, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
So, by the time you notice foot swelling, your heart failure may already be considered in a more advanced stage (and you might start to notice things like fatigue and shortness of breath, too). It can be easy to pass these symptoms off as no big deal, or simply as a sign of aging, but it’s important to talk with your doctor if you’re feeling a significant, unexplained change in your ability to do physical activity, like walking up the stairs, especially if you also have foot swelling.
How do you treat swollen feet from heart failure?
You can treat swollen feet at home (more on that next) or with the help of a doctor. If you believe you have heart failure—or any cardiovascular issue, for that matter—your first step is to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis, so you can establish a plan to help prevent your symptoms from worsening.
When it comes to swollen feet specifically, your doctor may start with trying to help your body let go of the excess fluid. “The most effective treatment for leg edema is a diuretic,” Dr. Maddox explains. “Diuretics prompt the kidney to urinate, which reduces leg edema.”
In addition to this medication, Dr. Maddox says many people find that compression socks or leggings are helpful for both reducing swelling in the legs and feet, and any accompanying discomfort. Compression socks work by increasing the pressure in the lower leg. This squeezing effect helps promote blood flow to move fluid out of the feet and back up to other areas of the body, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Compression socks or leggings don’t work for everyone, and they aren’t highly studied for their effectiveness with heart failure-related swelling. In fact, some studies suggest if your heart failure is advanced, compression socks can actually cause or worsen pain and shortness of breath.2 So, it’s really crucial to talk to your doctor first to make sure these are safe for you. If you feel worse when you wear them, then your doctor may say to skip them for other treatments.
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What are some home remedies for swollen feet?
Here are a few other ways to keep swollen feet at bay:
- Use gravity to your advantage: Put your feet up above your heart for at least 30 minutes, three to four times a day—say, by propping your feet up on some pillows while you watch TV or putting your legs up against a wall while you take a breather on the floor. Elevating your feet also helps fluid to return to your heart, thus reducing its workload.
- Reduce your dietary sodium: Too much salt in the diet—which can be hidden in sneaky sources, like canned soups and condiments, sauces, and salad dressings—can lead to water retention.
- Practice certain exercises: There are a few exercises that can help with foot and leg swelling and can also be good go-tos when traveling. This quick guide from the University of Michigan includes exercises like ankle pumps, where you point your toes towards your nose for four seconds and then point your toes towards the floor for four seconds.
When should you go to the hospital for swollen feet and legs?
Remember that there are lots of causes for swelling in the legs and feet, and heart failure is just one of them. If you’ve tried home remedies and your symptoms persist, try to see a doctor ASAP so you can determine the cause and get treatment if you need it.
If you do notice your feet are looking a bit swollen, Dr. Maddox says it’s worth a trip to the doctor, but typically not the E.R.—unless the swelling is rapidly progressing, extremely painful, or accompanied by other distressing symptoms like trouble breathing. “Leg swelling is not usually an emergency on its own,” he says, “although it can cause significant discomfort.”
Sources:
- StatPearls, Peripheral Edema
- ESC Heart Failure, Compression Therapy for Leg Oedema in Patients With Heart Failure
- StatPearls, Congestive Heart Failure
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Source: SELF
