Are your legs swelling? Your heart might be telling you something
You notice your legs or feet look puffy. Maybe your socks leave deep marks. Maybe your shoes feel too tight by the end of the day. You’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone. Swelling like this is called edema, and it can be a warning sign of heart failure. Let’s break down what’s happening in your body—and what to do next.
What Is heart failure?
Heart failure doesn’t mean your heart has stopped working. It means your heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should. When blood doesn’t flow properly, fluid can build up in your:
- Legs
- Ankles
- Feet
- Belly (sometimes!)
This extra fluid causes swelling—and that’s your body waving a red flag 🚩.📚 Learn more: American Heart Association – What is Heart Failure?
What swelling looks like (and feels like)
- Feet feel tight or heavy
- Ankles puff up by evening
- Socks or shoes don’t fit like they used to
- You press your finger into your leg, and it leaves a dent
Some people also feel:
- Short of breath when walking or lying down
- Extra tired during the day
- Weight gain (from fluid buildup)
📌 If you’ve had heart problems before, don’t ignore these signs—they could mean your condition is getting worse. Source: CDC – Heart Failure Symptoms
What to do if you notice swelling
Step 1: Call your doctor
They’ll ask questions about your symptoms and may want to check your weight, blood pressure, or medications. Share with your Scene nurse for extra support.
Step 2: Check your weight daily
Weight gain of 2–3 pounds overnight, or 5 pounds in a week, can mean fluid is building up fast.
Step 3: Limit salt (sodium)
Salt pulls more water into your body. This makes swelling worse and puts more stress on your heart.
Backed by: Cleveland Clinic – Weight Tracking
When to get help right away
Call your provider right away if you:
- Can’t catch your breath, even when resting
- Notice swelling in your belly or both legs quickly
- Feel chest pain or dizzy
- Wake up at night gasping for air
These are signs your heart might be struggling—and it’s time to act fast. ❤️🩹
What might help you feel better
- Take medications exactly as prescribed
- Keep your feet up during the day
- Use a weight log (Scene can help you set this up!)
- Ask your provider about compression socks
- Limit salty snacks, canned soups, and frozen meals
Bonus Tip Sheet: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute – Heart Failure Self-Care Guide
Questions to ask your Scene Health coach or pharmacist
- Is my swelling caused by fluid?
- Could one of my meds be making it worse?
- How much salt should I eat each day?
- How do I keep track of symptoms?
Final thought: your body talks—let’s listen
Swelling might seem small, but it can be your heart’s way of asking for help. Don’t brush it off. The sooner you catch it, the easier it is to treat. Your Scene Health team is here to help you manage your meds and monitoring—so your heart can keep doing its job. 💙
You notice your legs or feet look puffy. Maybe your socks leave deep marks. Maybe your shoes feel too tight by the end of the day. You’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone. Swelling like this is called edema, and it can be a warning sign of heart failure. Let’s break down what’s happening in your body—and what to do next.
What Is heart failure?
Heart failure doesn’t mean your heart has stopped working. It means your heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should. When blood doesn’t flow properly, fluid can build up in your:
- Legs
- Ankles
- Feet
- Belly (sometimes!)
This extra fluid causes swelling—and that’s your body waving a red flag 🚩.📚 Learn more: American Heart Association – What is Heart Failure?
What swelling looks like (and feels like)
- Feet feel tight or heavy
- Ankles puff up by evening
- Socks or shoes don’t fit like they used to
- You press your finger into your leg, and it leaves a dent
Some people also feel:
- Short of breath when walking or lying down
- Extra tired during the day
- Weight gain (from fluid buildup)
📌 If you’ve had heart problems before, don’t ignore these signs—they could mean your condition is getting worse. Source: CDC – Heart Failure Symptoms
What to do if you notice swelling
Step 1: Call your doctor
They’ll ask questions about your symptoms and may want to check your weight, blood pressure, or medications. Share with your Scene nurse for extra support.
Step 2: Check your weight daily
Weight gain of 2–3 pounds overnight, or 5 pounds in a week, can mean fluid is building up fast.
Step 3: Limit salt (sodium)
Salt pulls more water into your body. This makes swelling worse and puts more stress on your heart.
Backed by: Cleveland Clinic – Weight Tracking
When to get help right away
Call your provider right away if you:
- Can’t catch your breath, even when resting
- Notice swelling in your belly or both legs quickly
- Feel chest pain or dizzy
- Wake up at night gasping for air
These are signs your heart might be struggling—and it’s time to act fast. ❤️🩹
What might help you feel better
- Take medications exactly as prescribed
- Keep your feet up during the day
- Use a weight log (Scene can help you set this up!)
- Ask your provider about compression socks
- Limit salty snacks, canned soups, and frozen meals
Bonus Tip Sheet: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute – Heart Failure Self-Care Guide
Questions to ask your Scene Health coach or pharmacist
- Is my swelling caused by fluid?
- Could one of my meds be making it worse?
- How much salt should I eat each day?
- How do I keep track of symptoms?
Final thought: your body talks—let’s listen
Swelling might seem small, but it can be your heart’s way of asking for help. Don’t brush it off. The sooner you catch it, the easier it is to treat. Your Scene Health team is here to help you manage your meds and monitoring—so your heart can keep doing its job. 💙
You notice your legs or feet look puffy. Maybe your socks leave deep marks. Maybe your shoes feel too tight by the end of the day. You’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone. Swelling like this is called edema, and it can be a warning sign of heart failure. Let’s break down what’s happening in your body—and what to do next.
What Is heart failure?
Heart failure doesn’t mean your heart has stopped working. It means your heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should. When blood doesn’t flow properly, fluid can build up in your:
- Legs
- Ankles
- Feet
- Belly (sometimes!)
This extra fluid causes swelling—and that’s your body waving a red flag 🚩.📚 Learn more: American Heart Association – What is Heart Failure?
What swelling looks like (and feels like)
- Feet feel tight or heavy
- Ankles puff up by evening
- Socks or shoes don’t fit like they used to
- You press your finger into your leg, and it leaves a dent
Some people also feel:
- Short of breath when walking or lying down
- Extra tired during the day
- Weight gain (from fluid buildup)
📌 If you’ve had heart problems before, don’t ignore these signs—they could mean your condition is getting worse. Source: CDC – Heart Failure Symptoms
What to do if you notice swelling
Step 1: Call your doctor
They’ll ask questions about your symptoms and may want to check your weight, blood pressure, or medications. Share with your Scene nurse for extra support.
Step 2: Check your weight daily
Weight gain of 2–3 pounds overnight, or 5 pounds in a week, can mean fluid is building up fast.
Step 3: Limit salt (sodium)
Salt pulls more water into your body. This makes swelling worse and puts more stress on your heart.
Backed by: Cleveland Clinic – Weight Tracking
When to get help right away
Call your provider right away if you:
- Can’t catch your breath, even when resting
- Notice swelling in your belly or both legs quickly
- Feel chest pain or dizzy
- Wake up at night gasping for air
These are signs your heart might be struggling—and it’s time to act fast. ❤️🩹
What might help you feel better
- Take medications exactly as prescribed
- Keep your feet up during the day
- Use a weight log (Scene can help you set this up!)
- Ask your provider about compression socks
- Limit salty snacks, canned soups, and frozen meals
Bonus Tip Sheet: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute – Heart Failure Self-Care Guide
Questions to ask your Scene Health coach or pharmacist
- Is my swelling caused by fluid?
- Could one of my meds be making it worse?
- How much salt should I eat each day?
- How do I keep track of symptoms?
Final thought: your body talks—let’s listen
Swelling might seem small, but it can be your heart’s way of asking for help. Don’t brush it off. The sooner you catch it, the easier it is to treat. Your Scene Health team is here to help you manage your meds and monitoring—so your heart can keep doing its job. 💙
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