Evaluation | Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet | Cardiology Made Clear with Dr. Freeman

← Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet: the short explanation

All 6 sections, including text and pictures · 12 pages

What should I do now?

Call 911

Call 911 for new or unexplained chest pressure that persists or returns, severe trouble breathing, collapse without normal recovery, or sudden face/arm weakness or trouble speaking. Do not drive yourself.

Contact your care team

Contact your care team promptly for increasing swelling, rapid weight change, or worsening breathlessness.

Keep your care plan

Track weight and swelling as instructed. Do not change a water pill without a specific plan.

Patient summaries & logs →

SECTION 4

How is swelling evaluated?

Your clinician checks whether one or both legs are affected, examines the skin and circulation, and reviews medicines and symptoms.

Tests depend on the suspected cause

Blood and urine tests: May assess kidney function, liver function, or protein loss.
Leg ultrasound: May look for a clot or vein problems.
Heart testing: An EKG, blood tests, or echo may be appropriate when heart failure is suspected.

A patient receiving a leg vein ultrasound with a probe placed on the calf. — A leg vein ultrasound can look for blood clots and assess vein blood flow. The type of ultrasound depends on the suspected cause of swelling.

Patient receiving an echocardiogram. — An echo helps assess the heart when swelling may be related to heart disease.

Not everyone with ankle swelling needs all of these tests.

Sources & further readingMedlinePlus: Leg and ankle swelling Cleveland Clinic: Venous insufficiency NHLBI: Deep vein thrombosis and blood clots

Updated October 2026. Educational information; your own care plan may differ. Medical illustrations are simplified examples for teaching.