• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Little-known warning sign to look out for in mornings which could be a sign of heart disease

Home> News> Health

Published 13:14 3 Mar 2024 GMT

Little-known warning sign to look out for in mornings which could be a sign of heart disease

The NHS has detailed a common symptom to watch out for

Ella Scott

Ella Scott

Heart failure is a lifelong condition that occurs when the heart muscle can’t pump enough blood around the body to meet its needs.

Unlike the name suggests, it doesn’t mean that your heart has completely stopped working.

Instead, it lends itself to the idea that your muscle just needs a little bit of help and support for it to work better.

Heart failure can be caused by a heart attack or a disease called cardiomyopathy - where the walls of the heart chamber have become stretched, thickened or stiff, according to the NHS.

Unfortunately, this life-threatening syndrome affects more than 64 million people worldwide, as per the National Institutes of Health, and has become a major global health priority in recent years.

Advert

Heart failure cannot be cured and can gradually worsen over time but symptoms such as exhaustion and breathlessness can often be controlled for numerous years.

There’s another lesser-known symptom that the NHS claims will be less noticeable in the morning but will worsen as the day develops.

Swollen ankles and legs are common heart failure signs that are caused by a build-up of fluid.

Checking your ankles could help you get an early heart failure diagnosis.
Pexels

The medical term for this retention is edema, which makes the body’s tissues appear puffy and swollen.

Advert

Speaking about the common symptom, the organisation said: “It may be better in the morning and get worse later in the day.”

It’s claimed that if both of your ankles, feet or legs are swollen and the condition doesn’t improve within a few days, you should seek out medical advice.

If the swelling in your body parts worsens at a rapid pace you should also book a visit with your GP as soon as possible.

However, it’s worth mentioning that if you are experiencing edema it doesn’t automatically mean you have heart failure.

The NHS advises those suffering with oedema to seek medical advice.
Pexels

Advert

The fluid retention could be due to an allergic reaction, being overweight, or just sitting still for too long.

Various medications, such as steroids and antidepressants, can also have an impact on your body parts.

But oedema can also act as a warning siren to more serious matters such as infection and blood clots.

Due to the severity fluctuation, the NHS recommends that suffers try ‘gentle exercise’ to help elevate symptoms before calling their doctor.

Alongside swollen ankles, other symptoms of heart failure include fatigue, feeling lightheaded, and possible fainting.

Advert

The organisation also says that others may experience a persistent cough, elevated heart rate or even dizziness.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Image

Topics: Health, NHS

Ella Scott
Ella Scott

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Doctor shares little-known warning sign of deadly disease that emerges when you are eating
  • Doctors warn waking up constantly in the night for the toilet can actually be sign of medical condition
  • Cardiologist who had heart attack warns people to not 'make same mistake' over little-known warning sign
  • Doctor shares all ‘red flag’ signs that you have a weak heart and need medical attention

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Getty Stock Images
    an hour ago

    Scientists have 'finally solved' mystery of Easter Island heads in groundbreaking discovery

    Scientists believe they've cracked the process in which the statues were moved into place

    News
  • Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Urgent note handed to Donald Trump by Secretary of State has been exposed by zoomed-in photo

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed Donald Trump a note at a roundtable event in the White House’s Blue Room

    News
  • Vicky Unwin
    2 hours ago

    Woman whose daughter died after ketamine overdose reveals why she still wants the drug legalised

    Vicky Unwin's daughter Louise died from a ketamine overdose in 2011

    News
  • YouTube/I (don’t) have dementia
    4 hours ago

    Man diagnosed with Alzheimer's aged 41 shares potentially life changing health update

    Australian researcher Fraser has shared a health update after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2024

    News