Edema

HeartCare Associates of Connecticut

Cardiovascular Specialists located in Hamden, East Haven, North Haven, West Haven & Wallingford, CT

Spending many hours on your feet may lead to swollen legs and ankles. But if your edema is affecting other body parts or is occurring without prolonged standing, then you may have an underlying health issue that needs addressing. At HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, the team of cardiovascular specialists is ready to provide the care you need for your edema at one of their five convenient locations in Hamden, East Haven, North Haven, West Haven, and Wallingford, Connecticut. Call your nearest office today or request an appointment online.

Edema Q & A

What is edema?

Edema is the medical term used for swelling and occurs when too much fluid gets trapped in your tissue. You can develop edema anywhere in your body, but it’s most common in the legs, arms, hands, feet, and ankles.

Your swelling may be due to many causes, including eating too many salty foods, sitting or standing in one position for too long, or use of certain medications. Edema can also develop due to an underlying health condition.

What are edema symptoms?

With edema, you may notice that your skin looks swollen and stretched, and your skin may appear shiny. Edema can also lead to an increase in the size of your abdomen.

Edema also causes pitting, which occurs when you press a finger on the swollen area, and the indentation made by your finger takes several seconds to go away.

When should I see a doctor for edema?

Anytime you experience swelling, shiny skin, or pitting, you should schedule an appointment to see your doctor. You should also see your doctor immediately if your edema is accompanied by:

Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing

These symptoms may indicate you’re suffering from pulmonary edema, which requires immediate medical attention.

What are cardiovascular causes of edema?

Many underlying health issues can lead to edema. Some of the cardiovascular conditions the experts at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut can help you manage include:

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

CHF is a serious heart condition in which your heart isn’t able to adequately pump blood throughout your body due to a weakened or stiff heart muscle.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

DVT is a blood clot that develops in one of the veins deep in your body. They most often occur in the leg and cause symptoms such as edema, as well as pain and redness.

Chronic venous insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency affects blood flow back to your lungs and heart for reoxygenation due to damage or weakness in the valves in your veins. If your valves are malfunctioning, your blood may fall back and pool, leading to edema.

Chronic venous insufficiency most often affects the veins in the legs. If you have varicose veins, then you may also have venous insufficiency.

To schedule a consultation with the cardiovascular specialists at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut for edema treatment, contact the office nearest you by phone or online today.