Aa
Worried
I know I need to see a doctor for diagnosis but just wanted opinions.
I am worried I may have heart failure for several reasons. I am 33 yo female, overweight and quite inactive due to anxiety disorder. I Have also smoked and drank alcohol regularly, have cut down on both now but failed to stop completely.
The first is ankle swelling. This happens mainly when I have been sitting at a desk all day and goes down overnight (both ankles) and have read it can be other things and the fact that it goes away overnight is encouraging but it still frightens me. This has been going on for about 2 years. I wake in the night with a aching calf which points to venous insufficiency instead maybe.
I had an ECG at my request in November 2013 and it was clear. I also had kidney and liver function tests taken then, also okay.
However I have a history of high blood pressure, home reading not too bad and have gotten better since taking propranolol for anxiety. Readings at home are between 120-150 over 80-100 depending on the time of day.
If I have a lack of sleep I feel tachycardia (resting pulse rate on propranolol is 60/70) if I'm tired or anxious this raises to 80/85 but feels quite forceful.
I also get short of breath on exertion but never for no reason (but am very unfit) and this morning after lack of sleep even getting dressed I felt slightly short of breath and my BP was running higher than normal.
All of this is worrying me, along side my panic attacks. The doctors are reluctant to prescribe BP medicine as they say my readings aren't too bad and I should just concentrate on lifestyle changes for now which I am doing. I have asked two of them about the edema and they have brushed it off as my weight and told me to move around more and drink more water and that it will improve as the BP does. But every time I do a full days work at my desk my ankles swell badly. I am due to see the doctor again next week.
I am worried I may have heart failure for several reasons. I am 33 yo female, overweight and quite inactive due to anxiety disorder. I Have also smoked and drank alcohol regularly, have cut down on both now but failed to stop completely.
The first is ankle swelling. This happens mainly when I have been sitting at a desk all day and goes down overnight (both ankles) and have read it can be other things and the fact that it goes away overnight is encouraging but it still frightens me. This has been going on for about 2 years. I wake in the night with a aching calf which points to venous insufficiency instead maybe.
I had an ECG at my request in November 2013 and it was clear. I also had kidney and liver function tests taken then, also okay.
However I have a history of high blood pressure, home reading not too bad and have gotten better since taking propranolol for anxiety. Readings at home are between 120-150 over 80-100 depending on the time of day.
If I have a lack of sleep I feel tachycardia (resting pulse rate on propranolol is 60/70) if I'm tired or anxious this raises to 80/85 but feels quite forceful.
I also get short of breath on exertion but never for no reason (but am very unfit) and this morning after lack of sleep even getting dressed I felt slightly short of breath and my BP was running higher than normal.
All of this is worrying me, along side my panic attacks. The doctors are reluctant to prescribe BP medicine as they say my readings aren't too bad and I should just concentrate on lifestyle changes for now which I am doing. I have asked two of them about the edema and they have brushed it off as my weight and told me to move around more and drink more water and that it will improve as the BP does. But every time I do a full days work at my desk my ankles swell badly. I am due to see the doctor again next week.
You need to get to a cardiologist who specializes in Heart Failure. You will find them at teaching hospitals.There are medicines that can help you, but many cardiologists, who are not HF specialists, will mess you up more than help you.
Think of your body as a great machine. It just needs a little attention each day.
To relieve or limit swelling, elevate your legs above your heart for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day. (I don't know if you can do this at work :-) ) You can also try support hoses to prevent swelling. What you certainly can do is stand and walk around at least every hour or so. Oh, and try cutting down on your salt intake.
To relieve or limit swelling, elevate your legs above your heart for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day. (I don't know if you can do this at work :-) ) You can also try support hoses to prevent swelling. What you certainly can do is stand and walk around at least every hour or so. Oh, and try cutting down on your salt intake.
My bp is mainly between 120/140 over 90 but can go as high as 150/100, it is also sometimes as low as 116/76! I don't know if I trust my machine!
It's the swelling in the ankles after a days work I can't bear!!
It's the swelling in the ankles after a days work I can't bear!!
Thanks, I know and I am trying to make changes, I have started to eat well and lost a few lbs but at 5 foot 8 inches and 300lbs it is going to take time. I walk 20 minutes most days when my anxiety isn't too bad.
Do you think the ankle swelling will lessen when I lose weight?
Do you think the ankle swelling will lessen when I lose weight?
Your bp is a bit too high. It does not explain your ankle swelling and other problems, but needs to be lowered to avoid future problems.
The edema in your ankles is probably due to your inactivity. The fluid has to go up against gravity and can do that only by muscle activity. Actually your muscles squeeze the fluids up through the veins and lymphatic vessels.
When you are in horizontal position, without gravity effects, it of course goes much easier. That is why you loose the fluid overnight.
It seems to me that you really need to stop the sedentary life. Try to walk everyday for at least half an hour (good for loosing edema) and/or some other physical activity and try to loose weight. You can slowly build it up (intensity / duration).
Once your physical condition get better, you will notice that your resting hf will go down, your get more energy and perhaps your even bp will lower to acceptable levels without medication.
And while enjoying better physical condition, you will also notice that your overall well being will improve.
Go girl!
The edema in your ankles is probably due to your inactivity. The fluid has to go up against gravity and can do that only by muscle activity. Actually your muscles squeeze the fluids up through the veins and lymphatic vessels.
When you are in horizontal position, without gravity effects, it of course goes much easier. That is why you loose the fluid overnight.
It seems to me that you really need to stop the sedentary life. Try to walk everyday for at least half an hour (good for loosing edema) and/or some other physical activity and try to loose weight. You can slowly build it up (intensity / duration).
Once your physical condition get better, you will notice that your resting hf will go down, your get more energy and perhaps your even bp will lower to acceptable levels without medication.
And while enjoying better physical condition, you will also notice that your overall well being will improve.
Go girl!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
