symptoms of heart and blood vessel disorders
heart and blood vessel disorders
Swelling
Although swelling may seem like a minor irritation, especially if it does not cause discomfort and goes away while a person is sleeping, it can be a symptom of a serious disorder. The following information can help people decide when a doctor's examination is needed and to know what to expect during the evaluation. In people with swelling, certain symptoms and characteristics are cause for concern. They include Sudden onset Swelling of only one leg Significant pain or tenderness Shortness of breath Coughing up blood People who have warning signs should see a doctor right away. People without warning signs who have a history of heart, lung, or kidney disease or who are pregnant should see a doctor right away. Other people without warning signs should schedule a doctor's appointment as soon as possible. Doctors first ask questions about the person's symptoms and medical history. Doctors then do a physical examination. What they find during the history and physical examination often suggests a cause of the swelling and the tests that may need to be done. Doctors ask about the location and duration of the swelling and presence and degree of pain or discomfort. Women are usually asked whether they are pregnant or whether swelling seems related to menstrual periods. Doctors also ask whether the person has any disorders (for example, heart, liver, or kidney disorders) or takes any drugs (for example,minoxidil, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors, oramlodipineand other calcium channel blockers) that are known to cause swelling. Doctors also ask about the amount of salt used in cooking and at the table because excess salt can make swelling worse, particularly in people with heart or kidney disorders. Doctors look for symptoms that may indicate the cause of swelling. For example, people with may have shortness of breath during exertion or may wake at night with shortness of breath. People with swelling and easy bruising may have a liver disorder, and people who have recently had surgery or a cast on their leg may have deep vein thrombosis. Doctors may ask people with swelling that is long lasting to keep a record of their daily weight so that increases in swelling are detected quickly. During the physical examination, doctors pay particular attention to the area of swelling, but they also carefully examine the person for other signs. Doctors listen to the heart and lungs with the stethoscope because swelling may be a sign of a heart disorder. For most people with widespread swelling, blood tests are done to evaluate the function of the kidneys and liver. A chest x-ray and echocardiography may be done evaluate the function of the heart. Urinalysis is usually also done to check for large amounts of protein, which can indicate nephrotic syndrome or, in pregnant women, preeclampsia. Other tests are done based on the suspected cause. For example, in people with isolated swelling in one leg, doctors may do ultrasonography to look for blockage of a vein in the leg. 