Swelling of the legs with heart failure is a serious symptom

Many people, especially women, face such a problem as foot swelling. The reasons for this phenomenon can be different. It is believed that they appear because of the large amount of liquid that is drunk during the day. The most common cause can serve as varicose veins, lymphovenous insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis. The second place is occupied by kidney and liver diseases. Then there are such factors as problems with joints, diseases of the abdominal cavity, allergic reactions, oncology, lung pathology, pregnancy. There are swelling of the legs with heart failure.

Due to the fact that the list of diseases in which leg edema can occur is large, it can not be diagnosed without tests and instrumental diagnostics. A routine set of tests is being given, plus a biochemical blood test is still being done and blood coagulability is checked. It is also necessary to make ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, ECG, study of blood vessels and veins (UZDS), only then you can say for what reason there were swelling of the legs.

With heart failure, in addition to edema of the legs, there are other symptoms. The liquid impregnates the tissues and accumulates in the abdominal cavity, so the swelling is dense, with the pressure remaining dimple. There is an increase in the liver. In addition, there is shortness of breath, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), may be cyanotic lips, pale skin, any physical strain becomes a burden.

To remove swelling of the legs with heart failure, do not immediately grab for diuretics. They sometimes give the opposite effect, as they can disrupt the water-salt balance, which can adversely affect the cardiac activity. Therefore, when the signs appear, you need to adjust the power. It is necessary to use less salt, no more than two grams per day. The amount of water consumed must be reduced. On average, no more than one liter per day, this refers to the volume of the entire liquid. In the diet must necessarily be products with a high content of potassium: rice, oatmeal, baked potatoes, bananas, dried fruits (dried apricots, prunes, raisins). It is good to take infusions and broths of dogrose - it is rich in vitamins of group B and C, it will strengthen the walls of the vessels and will have an anti-inflammatory effect.

If edema of the legs with heart failure are excluded, and other causes of their appearance are revealed, then the specialist should prescribe the appropriate treatment. But there are general recommendations that will help to cope with this problem.

• It is necessary to alternate active activities with rest. If the work is inactive (sitting or standing), you can do simple exercises - they are necessary for normal blood circulation in the limbs (you need to change your posture, do not sit more than 30 minutes in one position). You can not sit, throwing your foot on your leg - so the superficial veins are pinched.
• In the evening, footwork needs rest - they should be above the head level for at least 15 minutes. This is a good way to promote the flow of blood and fluid from the lower limbs.
• Massage the legs, if possible.
• You can use massage trays with herbal decoctions - this gives a good therapeutic effect.
• Wearing comfortable, comfortable, not narrow shoes. The heel should be no more than 5 cm.
• Remember that after 40 years at least once a year you need to donate blood for analysis in order to catch the disease in the initial stage. Otherwise, you will need to look for the reasons why your legs swell, and until the end of life you will have to take serious drugs.