Swollen feet and ankles

Edima

by AgentX86 - 2020-08-10 21:38:35

One of the obvious symptoms of heart failure is edima (water retention,  usually shown by swelling of the lower extremities).  Yes, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.  Do not mess around with this.

Swollen feet and ankles

by Gemita - 2020-08-11 03:52:39

Hello Jeff58,

It would be helpful to know why you have a pacemaker ?  The getting out of breath, dizziness and now swollen feet and ankles is certainly not normal following implant procedure and could indicate a more serious problem as AgentX86 says.  If it continues you should seek further advice from your doctors and get some additional checks (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels for example).  

Of course there are many potential reasons for swollen extremities.  First thing that comes to mind is have you had a change or increase in your medication?  When my husband was taking Amlodipine for example, a calcium channel blocker, he suddenly developed very swollen ankles and feet and eventually had to change to another med for hypertension.  Many meds can cause fluid retention.  Too much salt in the diet can also cause fluid retention.  Are you drinking sufficient water, since dehydration will not be helping in the current heatwave?  Try soaking your feet in cool water, then lie on the bed, keeping the feet raised on pillows.

I suffer from arrhythmias, including AF and these can certainly cause circulatory problems, breathlessness, dizziness and fluid retention.  Shortly after my pacemaker implant my arrhythmias worsened while my heart was getting used to being paced but within 3 months or so everything calmed down without further treatment, although some of my medication was stopped and/or dosage reduced.  I too felt it was a problem with my pacemaker initially, so you are not alone in your concerns.

Hopefully your doctors will be able to reassure you that this will all settle down as your body gets used to being paced but please seek advice to rule out a more serious cause for your symptoms if they do not improve quickly.

Swelling of the lower limbs

by Selwyn - 2020-08-11 11:54:41

A common symptom in the heat (due to increased blood flow)

A common symptom due to not getting to bed and sleeping with feet down in a chair. 

A common symptom of varicose veins

Some medications cause fluid retention.

After that there are major problems of failure: Heart, liver, kidney.

Some protein deficiency or severe anaemia can cause.

Some blockage of the lymphatics from cancer ( usually not both sides). 

Fluid in the lungs can produce shortness of breath, worse on lying down. 

You need a medical opinion to sort out all of this out.  Common things occur commonly. Sitting at a desk in hot weather is probably the commonest cause.  Do seek hhelp as some of these causes are obviously serious and can be treated. 

Just for clarity

by Gotrhythm - 2020-08-12 17:24:36

Dizziness, swollen feet and ankles are not "normal" or expected consequences of getting a pacemaker.

As Selwyn says, swollen legs and feet have many common causes, but are they caused by a malfunctioning pacemaker? No. 

Remember, you still have whatever heart condition neccessitated getting a pacemaker. The pacemaker doesn't actually cure you. It just allows you to live longer and better than you might without it.

As Selwyn remarks, it has been hot--at least in the norther hemisphere. Hot weather is a more common cause than heart issues, but you do have a heart condition. Give your cardiologist a call and see what he/she says.

One more thing. When they say your pacemaker is working fine, that only means it's working the way it is set to. But are the settings right for you? That's different question. It's very common the the settings need to be changed to allow you to feel the very best you can. That's what you need to discuss with your doctor at your next pacemaker check up.

consider your meds

by Original Cyndy - 2020-08-13 14:40:05

They took me off amlodipine for awhile due to concerns it was causing the sudden swelling. Turns out it was due to increased salt intake (cruise), so they put me back on it, as my BP zoomed up when I wasn't on it. All fine now. 

Thanks

by Jeff58 - 2020-08-13 18:14:35

Thanks everyone, much appreciate your thoughts, comments & common sense 👍! Will speak to cardiologist when he’s back from leave.