What should you know about blood pressure swollen feet?

Fluid can collect in the tissues around the feet and ankles after prolonged standing, during pregnancy, with excess body weight, or when veins do not return blood efficiently. Varicose veins may contribute. Swelling can also occur with heart failure or chronic kidney disease, especially when it is on both sides or accompanied by breathlessness, tiredness or changes in urination. Some medicines can cause ankle swelling. Blood pressure and swelling should be considered together, but one does not prove the cause of the other.

Notice whether the swelling is on one or both sides, when it began, and whether the skin is red, hot or painful. Remove tight footwear, raise the legs when resting, and take gentle walks if comfortable. Keep taking prescribed medicines unless instructed otherwise, and do not start water tablets or compression garments without advice. Arrange a clinical review for persistent, increasing or unexplained swelling.

Seek emergency help for sudden swelling with breathlessness, chest pain, fainting or coughing blood. Urgent assessment is also needed for one-sided swelling that is sudden, painful, warm or red, or for swelling with severe illness. These patterns can signal a clot, infection or a heart or lung problem.

Ask whether a medicine could be contributing, whether you need blood or urine tests, how to monitor your blood pressure, and which changes in swelling should prompt urgent review.