Why Are Your Ankles Swollen After 60?

Do your ankles swell by the evening, making your shoes feel tight? After 60, that's common — surveys suggest nearly two in ten people over 65 experience swollen ankles or legs. Why does it happen? With age, the valves in the leg veins weaken, so blood doesn't flow upward as well and fluid pools around the ankles with gravity. Long days of sitting or standing, hot weather, and salty meals can all make it worse. Some blood pressure medicines, such as calcium channel blockers (amlodipine), can also cause ankle swelling. Usually it's nothing serious If both ankles swell in the evening and the swelling eases overnight, it's usually nothing serious. Raising your legs above heart level and resting typically brings the swelling down. What you can do at home Raise your legs and rest whenever you can during the day. When sitting, a footrest helps more than flat feet on the floor. If you sit for a long time, get up and walk around gently every 30 minutes. Cut back on salty foods and drink enough water. Light walking works the leg muscles like a pump, pushing blood upward. See a doctor if Only one leg swells suddenly, hurts, or feels hot and red (it could be a blood clot) You feel breathless or have chest tightness The swelling started suddenly or hasn't gone down for days Your weight has risen suddenly, or you pass less urine Swelling comes with unusual tiredness Swollen ankles are usually a common, manageable symptom. But if a warning sign appears — one-sided swelling, breathlessness — don't wait; get checked promptly. Reference: NHS, "Swollen ankles, feet and legs (oedema)" — swelling in both ankles that eases overnight is common; sudden swelling in one leg, or swelling with breathlessness, needs prompt medical evaluation. Do your ankles swell by the evening, making your shoes feel tight? After 60, that's common — surveys suggest nearly two in ten people over 65 experience swollen ankles or legs. Why does it happen? With age, the valves in the leg veins weaken, so blood doesn't flow upward as well and fluid pools around the ankles with gravity. Long days of sitting or standing, hot weather, and salty meals can all make it worse. Some blood pressure medicines, such as calcium channel blockers (amlodipine), can also cause ankle swelling. Usually it's nothing serious If both ankles swell in the evening and the swelling eases overnight, it's usually nothing serious. Raising your legs above heart level and resting typically brings the swelling down. What you can do at home Raise your legs and rest whenever you can during the day. When sitting, a footrest helps more than flat feet on the floor. If you sit for a long time, get up and walk around gently every 30 minutes. Cut back on salty foods and drink enough water. Light walking works the leg muscles like a pump, pushing blood upward. See a doctor if Only one leg swells suddenly, hurts, or feels hot and red (it could be a blood clot) You feel breathless or have chest tightness The swelling started suddenly or hasn't gone down for days Your weight has risen suddenly, or you pass less urine Swelling comes with unusual tiredness Swollen ankles are usually a common, manageable symptom. But if a warning sign appears — one-sided swelling, breathlessness — don't wait; get checked promptly. Reference: NHS, "Swollen ankles, feet and legs (oedema)" — swelling in both ankles that eases overnight is common; sudden swelling in one leg, or swelling with breathlessness, needs prompt medical evaluation.

Everyday Items That Support the Habits in This Post

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Nothing below treats or cures swelling. These items support the habits in this post — raising your legs, gentle movement, and comfortable footwear. If you notice any warning sign in this post, see a doctor.

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