Peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.) is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood.
Painless swelling may affect both legs and may include the calves or even the thighs. The effect of gravity makes the swelling most noticeable in the lower part of the body. Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is common when the person also: Is overweight.
Heart disease causes leg and ankle swelling when the heart starts having trouble moving blood adequately through the body, states WebMD. Additional symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite and fluid accumulation in other body parts. Foot and ankle swelling caused by infection is most common in patients with diabetes. Infection also causes fevers and warm patches on the affected skin. Blood clots are a serious cause of swelling that also cause fever, pain and skin discoloration, and require prompt treatment by a physician. Although some swelling feet are normal in pregnancy, a sudden increase in swelling is a sign of pregnancy-related high blood pressure, informs WebMD.