--- title: "Swollen ankles: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers" description: "Swollen ankles are often caused by standing, hot weather or pregnancy, but heart or kidney disease and a DVT can also cause swelling that needs GP review." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/swollen-ankles/ robots: noindex --- # Swollen ankles: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers Symptoms Swollen ankles are often caused by standing, hot weather or pregnancy, but heart or kidney disease and a DVT can also cause swelling that needs GP review. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What could swollen ankles mean? Swollen ankles happen when fluid collects in the lower legs, often after long periods of standing, in hot weather or during pregnancy. Elevating the legs and moving around regularly usually helps. Swelling that affects one leg, is painful, or comes with breathlessness needs prompt medical assessment. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Swollen ankles, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 4 sections ## Common causes of swollen ankles - Long periods of standing and hot weather commonly cause mild ankle swelling. - Heart disease and kidney disease can both cause fluid retention and oedema. - A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) typically causes swelling in one leg only. - Blood pressure medicines such as amlodipine can cause ankle swelling. - Facial swelling with a headache during pregnancy needs urgent medical review. ## Understanding swollen ankles Ankle oedema — a build-up of fluid around the ankles and feet — is common and often harmless. Swelling that affects only one leg, or that is painful, needs medical assessment because it can point to a more serious cause. ## Common causes of swollen ankles Long periods of **standing**, **pregnancy** and **heart failure** are among the most frequent causes of ankle swelling. A **deep vein thrombosis (DVT)** causes swelling in one leg and needs urgent assessment. ## Self-care for swollen ankles Elevating your legs and moving around regularly helps fluid to drain away from the ankles. Reducing the salt in your diet may also help, but only do this if a GP has advised it. ## When to seek help for swollen ankles Swelling that persists, or swelling that comes with breathlessness, needs a GP review. If you become suddenly breathless and have leg swelling, call 999 straight away. ## ! When to get medical help for swollen ankles See a GP if ankle swelling is persistent or if you become breathless. Call **999** or go to A&E if you have chest pain together with leg swelling. Call **111** for urgent advice when you are unsure what to do. ## Common questions about swollen ankles Why do my ankles swell when I stand? Ankles swell because gravity pulls fluid down into the legs when you stand for long periods. Elevating your legs and walking regularly helps the fluid to drain away. Is ankle swelling normal in pregnancy? Mild ankle swelling is common in pregnancy and usually nothing to worry about. However, sudden swelling of the face or hands together with a headache needs urgent review, because it can be a sign of pre-eclampsia. Can medicines cause swollen ankles? Yes, some medicines can cause swollen ankles. Amlodipine and similar blood pressure medicines are a common cause of ankle oedema. When is a swollen ankle a sign of a blood clot? A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) usually causes one swollen calf that is tender to touch. The risk rises after surgery or long journeys, so one-sided painful swelling needs prompt assessment. ## Sources - [NHS — Oedema](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/oedema) - [NHS — Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis-dvt/)