Swollen Ankles
Did you know that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can cause edema, especially in the later stages of the condition? It’s true. COPD can make the feet, ankles, and legs swell with fluid.
This is due to the lack of oxygen in the blood vessels straining the heart. When the heart cannot work optimally, fluid will pool in the extremities. Of course, swelling with also result due to damage in the lungs. This is known as “pulmonary hypertension,” or when high blood pressure is seen in the blood vessels in the lungs. If this goes untreated, the heart will be burdened and might eventually develop an issue called cor pulmonale, where the right side of the heart can no longer send enough blood to the lungs.
