Sign 7. Swelling of Feet and Ankles: When Gravity Pulls Harder
Swelling of feet and ankles, known medically as peripheral edema, could be an inconspicuous sign of heart blockage. You might notice that your feet and ankles look puffy at the end of the day, or your shoes may feel tight. This unexplained swelling could be the body’s way of signaling a heart condition.
This swelling is like a leaky faucet, slowly but steadily dripping hints about an underlying problem. When heart blockage impedes the heart’s pumping ability, it can lead to a buildup of fluid in the body’s tissues, causing swelling. It’s as though the body is hinting at a dam upstream that needs attention.
Curiously, this swelling isn’t always static. It can change throughout the day, usually becoming more noticeable in the evening. This fluid accumulation can give the ankles a ‘puffy’ appearance and might make shoes feel uncomfortably tight.
What makes this sign fascinating is its preferential nature. It tends to gravitate towards the feet and ankles due to the pull of gravity, especially when standing or sitting for long periods. This uneven swelling might provide a vital clue about potential heart blockage. (7)
