Heart disease is a big problem in Britain, causing an average of 460 deaths per day, according to the British Heart Foundation. The organisation says that heart and circulatory diseases cause a quarter of all deaths in the UK - more than 160,000 every year.
It is caused by the blood supply being blocked or slowed down by fatty tissues building up in a person's arteries. With that in mind, it's worth being aware of the tell-tale signs of any problems, including having sock marks on your ankles, reports the Mirror.
This is evident when there is water retention in the feet and legs, known medically as peripheral oedema. When you take your socks off, you might see a distinctive line across your ankles from where your socks were.
Mild peripheral oedema is common, but it could also indicate serious heart issues. Health experts warn that oedema may be a sign of heart failure because when the heart is not pumping as well as it should, fluid from inside the blood vessels tends to leak out into the surrounding tissues.
The legs and ankles are common areas for oedema because of the effects of gravity. It's important to note that most people who have peripheral oedema don’t have heart disease, but it could be a key indicator of potential heart problems and other signs of heart failure.
Oedema can be caused by a wide range of conditions, some of which are temporary and perfectly harmless, such as swollen ankles during a pregnancy or puffiness in your hands and feet during a flight because of water retention.
“Persistent problems with oedema, however, could be a signal that your heart isn’t functioning properly,” said Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists.
It added: “A more serious cause of peripheral oedema is congestive heart failure, a condition in which your heart is too weak to pump blood efficiently.”
Symptoms of heart failure
Other signs of heart failure include:
- A persistent cough, which may be worse at night
- Wheezing
- A bloated tummy
- Loss of appetite
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Confusion
- A fast heart rate
- A pounding, fluttering or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
How to lower your risk of heart failure
Regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy body weight are key factors to preventing heart failure. Other healthy behaviours include not smoking, eating fruits and vegetables, and moderating your alcohol intake. If concerned about any unusual swelling or slight issues with your heart, speak to your GP about the best plan of action.
