A warning sign in your feet could indicate deadly heart failure

Woman clutching chest

Swollen feet and tiredness could be key indicators of heart disease

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Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 01/09/2023

- 13:07

Swollen feet and tiredness could be key indicators of heart disease

Chest pain is a common indicator for heart problems but warning signs can appear elsewhere.

Patients should be mindful of how their entire body feels as it could be warning them of serious heart conditions.


Harvard Health Publishing shared some of the more surprising warning signs of heart disease and failure.

They suggested fatigue, general aches and pains and even swollen feet could signify heart problems.

Woman swollen feet

Swollen feet, ankles or legs could indicate heart problems

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Cardiologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital Dr. Randall Zusman said: "Any symptom that seems to be provoked by exertion and relieved by rest could be heart-related.

"Particularly in people with underlying risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, tobacco use, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and a strong family history of heart disease, other symptoms besides chest pain may be the clue to a heart problem."

Swollen feet

Swelling in your feet, legs and even ankles could be a key warning sign.

If a swollen foot leaves an indentation when pressing a finger into it, this could be a sign of heart failure.

It may also be caused by kidney or liver disease or weak leg veins.

Aches and pains

There could be many things causing aches and pains, such as overexertion or the flu.

However, it could indicate a much more severe heart condition even when the pains aren't near the chest.

Woman tired at desk

Fatigue can be a warning sign of heart problems

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Pain felt in the shoulders, arm, back, jaw or abs could suggest heart problems, according to the experts.

Fatigue

Tiredness can also be caused by a number of minor things.

Constant, new fatigue, however, might signal heart failure or coronary artery disease.

Dr Zusman added: "It's less common as an indication of coronary artery disease, but it can be."

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