Doctors warn of a heart disease sign in ankles after Jeremy Clarkson's health scare
by Fiona Callingham, Barbara Hodgson · ChronicleLiveAfter TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson shared news of his recent urgent heart surgery, saying he had been 'days away' from death, health experts have warned others of symptoms they might spot which could signal similar problems.
Grand Tour presenter Clarkson underwent an operation to fit a stent after experiencing a number of symptoms while on holiday. The 64-year-old, writing for The Times, told how he had to steady himself after standing up from the table; struggled to swim and needed support while descending stairs.
He also felt "clammy" and had a tightness in his chest as well as pins and needles in his left arm prior to diagnosis and, after hearing of the sudden death of Alex Salmond, Scotland's former first minister, on October 12, he sought medical help and discovered he needed a heart bypass.
Doctors at the London hospital where he was taken by ambulance believed he was potentially "days away" from becoming very ill and Clarkson said: “It seems that of the arteries feeding my heart with nourishing blood, one was completely blocked and the second of three was heading that way," reports The Mirror.
He had a stent fitted which works by keeping an artery open and says he is now fine. But health experts have warned of another symptom that easily could go unnoticed but could be a red flag sign of cardiovascular disease - swollen ankles.
While swollen ankles are fairly common and can have lots of causes, such as blood pressure medication, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) warns: “That does not mean you should ignore them, especially if your ankles get very big, as this can be a marker of heart failure".
This could be a signal that the heart is not pumping blood around the body as well as it should, so fluid collects in the lower limbs. The BHF added: "If you’re getting swollen ankles, it’s worth making an appointment with your GP.”
Below are some other symptoms to look out for which it says may be warning signs of heart disease. Those who experience any of these unexplained symptoms should speak to a doctor.
- Chest pain
- Stomach pain like indigestion
- Arm, jaw or back pain
- Feeling sweaty
- Choking sensation
- Feeling sick
- Leg pain
- Extreme fatigue
- Palpitations
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