Causes of swelling (pedal edema) in the feet and lower legs of older adults:
- Heart diseases or heart failure
- Hypothyroidism
- Lymphedema
- Medications
– Calcium channel blockers
– Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
– Diuretics (with long-term use)
– Estrogens
– Thiazolidinediones - Obesity
- Pulmonary hypertension (often associated with sleep apnea)
- Venous insufficiency
- Anemia
- Gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., hypoalbuminemia from protein-losing enteropathy or chronic malnutrition)
- Liver disease
- Renal disease
- Venous outflow obstruction (e.g., tumor, previous surgery or radiation
to abdomen or pelvis)