Swollen ankles - don't think there's an answer

[LaBelleSauvage123]

I have borderline heart failure which means that my ankles are puffy pretty much all the time, though they get worse as the day goes on and especially in the heat. I've only had this issue for about a year and I'm worried about summer dressing. I usually wear cropped trousers and pumps with a t shirt or tunic, or summer dresses, but my ankles just look so awful. In the cooler months I wear long trousers which hide them but I'll be so hot in summer. Wide leg trousers make me look like the side of a bus. There's no answer is there? Swelter or display my puffy ankles to the world.

For your own comfort, not style, why aren’t you wearing compression socks?

They come in all sorts of grades and materials at this point. Summer is the time I am most likely to wear them because the heat makes swelling worse. You can get lightweight moisture wicking versions with low or medium compression. Your legs will feel better. They come in subtle colors or bright and bold.

Maxi dresses?

Compression socks - haven't looked into these as just assumed they'd be very old ladyish, but will do now, thanks.
Maxi dresses are an idea - I do have one.

Im plagued with this at the moment, Ive always been inclined to get swollen and puffy ankles but I thought that was because I was very fat, Im now not very fat and still have the same problem, worse on the left leg. Im wondering if its my thyroid (underactive). I dont have any heart issues (that I know of), its upsetting becuase Ive lost all this weight and my ankles and calves look like I havent. They make my shoes look ugly.

Me too! Exactly this. I hugely sympathise. Losing weight hasn't helped me.

God, I hope I don't have heart failure but I do have a very low pulse.

Does anyone find dry body brushing help?

Hi-top Converse?

Sandals with a high ankle strap?

I agree maxi skirts or long sundresses would be great.

I have this (puffy ankles not heart failure as far as I'm aware). I've started using a gua sha on my feet & ankles each evening which I helping. I'm not sure if this is a good idea though!

Ive just had to look this up, what do you do with it?

I’m the same☹️just the one leg with me, got a varicose vein and a fat ankle. Don’t think there’s much I can do so wear flarey trousers.

God its awful isnt it. Thing is Ive always liked ankle grazer trousers, I think they're really stylish apart from my fat puffy white cankle poking out the bottom. And when its really bad the puffyness overhangs my shoe. Urgh

I’m embracing ankle socks this year. Ones with loose tops so they don’t make swelling worse. My teenagers say they’re just right with trainers, very now, so I might as well take advantage of the moment

I would do this but even lose socks cut into my swollen calves :(

This video could be helpful.

Thank you just watched

Ankle pumps - sitting at a right angle with your feet up on the sofa/footstool/coffee table pump your toes backwards and forwards bending at the ankle.

Calf stretch - up against a wall/kitchen counter/sink etc.

Walk heel to toe - not flat footed.

Mini squats - as it sounds.

@soupfiend was your question about the gua sha? I just rub (well, scrape really) it over my feet and lower legs. The pressure just helps get things moving as far as I understand and breaks down congestion.

thank you, do you rub it flat or with the sharp edge on the skin?

Please don’t ignore puffy ankles as it is a sign of heart failure particularly in the left leg. Just get a blood test/chest x-ray at the GP surgery to rule it out.

Women tend to get late diagnosis of heart failure.

What would the blood test be?

I get this in hot weather, I ignore it. If you wear something eye-catching on top no-one will pay attention to your ankle.

I've been inclined to puffy ankles since I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid 35 years ago. My legs ballooned then and it was my heart - it hasn't been since successfully treated.

Walking helps, crossover sandals that don't cut across the ankle minimise it optically and if it's of any interest, I gave up wheat last summer (and refined carbs, refined sugar and saturated fat) (Mediterranean diet broadly) and my puffy ankles improved significantly within about two to three weeks. My little bits of eczema and achy joints disappeared too.

@LaBelleSauvage123 I'm sorry about the heart failure. Can anything be done about it? I hope so and do look after yourself

Exactly this!

I am on medication and have regular check ups - it hasn’t got any worse since I was diagnosed 10 years ago. It’s caused by an irregular heart beat that affects the heart pump function
( unusual apparently). I’m on the borderline between normal and heart failure so not officially diagnosed and want to keep it that way!

That video is great. I’m going to follow that regime and have ordered some compression socks and an ankle icer contraption. Will report back!

I get bad sock indents despite being overall slim and my ankles / calves not being noticeably “fat”. They last a few hours (if I have worn socks to walk the dog at 7am then taken them off I can still see the indents three hours later). I wear loose socks and they don’t feel tight when on. Anyone have any words of wisdom?

OP I was going to suggest the same as others have said. Maxi dresses or skirts.

Thank you @Nomechange1 that video is awesome.