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.
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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.
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.
The medical term for this retention is edema, which makes the body’s tissues appear puffy and swollen.
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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 fluid retention could be due to an allergic reaction, being overweight, or just sitting still for too long.
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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.
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The organisation also says that others may experience a persistent cough, elevated heart rate or even dizziness.
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