Can Low Oxygen Levels Be Related To Swelling In The Leg?

Posted on Wed, 31 Jan 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 Answered on

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : my foot is swollen. can low oxygen cause this

I did not injure my foot. It was swollen when I got out of bed. I have low oxygen. Can this cause the problem?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows...

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Regarding your concern, I would explain that low oxygen levels could be related to a lung disorder or chronic heart failure, which could lead to increase fluid retention and leg swelling.

For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests:

- a chest X-ray study
- a cardiac ultrasound and NT-pro BNP levels for heart failure
- complete blood count
- kidney and liver function tests (for possible dysfunction)
- blood electrolytes.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests. Adding a diuretic or increasing the dose (if you are already taking a diuretic) may be needed.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Take care.

Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar