{"id":109190,"date":"2025-09-02T13:23:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T13:23:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/109190\/"},"modified":"2025-09-02T13:23:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T13:23:12","slug":"five-second-test-on-your-leg-that-could-indicate-heart-failure-when-to-see-a-doctor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/109190\/","title":{"rendered":"Five-second test on your leg that could indicate heart failure – when to see a doctor"},"content":{"rendered":"

This unusual sign could also indicate liver or kidney issues<\/p>\n

06:31, 02 Sep 2025Updated 08:10, 02 Sep 2025<\/p>\n

\"WomanA doctor warned people to look for an unusual symptom that appears when pressing down on the leg(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

A doctor has shared a five-second test you can do on your leg that could indicate heart failure. This simple method could also reveal signs of kidney or liver disease.<\/p>\n

In a video posted to social media platform TikTok, Doctor Sermed Mezher<\/a>, told his followers to look for pitting oedema. This occurs if you press down on the legs and the dent doesn\u2019t quickly go away.<\/p>\n

In some cases the cause of pitting oedema might be nothing to worry about, however, in others it could signal something serious. Dr Mezher said: \u201cEven though it’s not a normal finding and can have some serious causes there are some innocent ones too.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt its core it’s a sign that fluid is accumulating in the legs, whether that’s a sign of poor circulation or generally higher fluid levels in the body. If it’s mild and temporary it could just be from standing up for too long, heat exposure, pregnancy<\/a>, or being overweight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/p>\n

However, he cautioned that you should get it checked by a doctor. \u201cIf it’s more long lasting yes it could be a sign of poor vein function but also potentially of heart failure, kidney or liver disease or if one leg is more swollen than the other side, a clot in the leg,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow even if someone comes to see me in the clinic with this I can’t immediately tell what the cause is I’ll need to do tests to differentiate, which can include things like bloods, echocardiogram, or potentially an ultrasound scan of the leg. So this is not something that you can just diagnose at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo if you have pitting oedema, then see your doctor about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PittingIf the dent in your foot doesn’t go away quickly you should speak to your doctor(Image: Getty)Heart failure and pitting oedema<\/p>\n

On its website, the NHS<\/a> warns that oedema is a common phenomenon among heart failure patients. If the heart cannot pump blood properly around the body you get a build-up of pressure inside the blood vessels.<\/p>\n

This then causes fluid to leak into the surrounding tissues. When listing signs of heart failure, the NHS says: \u201cSwollen ankles and legs \u2013 this is caused by a build-up of fluid (oedema); it may be better in the morning and get worse later in the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the NHS, \u201ccommon\u201d signs of heart failure include:<\/p>\n

Breathlessness \u2013 this may occur after activity or at rest; it may be worse when you’re lying down, and you may wake up at night needing to catch your breathFatigue \u2013 you may feel tired most of the time and find exercise exhaustingFeeling lightheaded and fainting\"LegsOedema could also be a sign of kidney or liver problems(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

Less common signs include:<\/p>\n

A persistent cough, which may be worse at nightWheezingA bloated tummyLoss of appetiteWeight gain or weight lossConfusionA fast heart rateA pounding, fluttering or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)<\/p>\n

If you experience any symptoms you should speak to your GP.<\/p>\n