Sock marks are a sign of lower leg swelling that could be caused by high blood pressure.
If you’re noticing tighter shoes or sock marks, there may be a reason. Standing or sitting too long may be causing lower leg swelling, or edema, which is a common sign of high blood pressure.
These symptoms may not be a problem if they are mild and don’t happen often. Recurring or worsening lower leg swelling could be a sign of a chronic health problem.
“Swelling in your ankles is abnormal,” saidDr. Michael McGill, a Marshfield Clinic Health System cardiologist. “It needs to be evaluated if it becomes a common problem. Even if it just happens occasionally, you should discuss it with your health care provider.”
High blood pressure is the most common cause
Swelling happens when excess fluid builds up in your lower legs. Edema usually isn’t painful by itself, but wearing shoes and socks may feel uncomfortable if your legs and feet are swollen.
“Sodium retention causes high blood pressure and fluid retention, which is the most common reason for swollen lower legs,” Dr. McGill said.
High blood pressuremay be accompanied by diastolic dysfunction, a type of heart failure that makes it hard for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. The body responds to insufficient blood flow by holding on to fluid that settles in the lowest parts of the body – usually the legs and feet.
Venous insufficiency is another cardiovascular problem that can cause swelling. It happens when your leg veins don’t let blood to flow back up to your heart. When valves in your veins don’t work well, blood can collect in your legs and cause painful swelling. This condition also is known for causingvaricose veins.
Kidney and liver problems and certain medications also can cause lower leg swelling. Your health care provider will run tests to figure out what’s causing the problem.
Solutions for lower leg swelling
“Blood pressure medication and reducing salt in your diet usually help reduce swelling caused by high blood pressure,” Dr. McGill said.
Your provider also may prescribe a diuretic, a medication that helps your body get rid of excess water and salt, to reduce swelling.
Compression stockingsand elevating your feet may help reduce swelling caused by venous insufficiency.
Other causes of swelling, such askidneyor liver disease, require condition-specific treatment.
For questions about high blood pressure, talk to a Marshfield Clinic Health System provider.
Schedule appointment Message your provider
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36 Comments
Mar 8, 2024
Gary C.
I think you have mentioned some very interesting details , thankyou for the post.
Reply
Feb 8, 2024
Mary H.
Nice to know that though I’ve lived in Texas 55 years, I can still get good advice from my home base clinic!!
Reply
Feb 4, 2021
Enda L.
I agree with you
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Jan 13, 2021
Steve C.
Try laying down on the floor w ur feet strait up the wall. Put a pillow under ur head and one under ur lower back. Do it for 15 minutes. The blood will drain from ur legs and goto the heart and digestive tract etc. Water will drain out. Get back up and you'll feel great!
Reply
Jan 7, 2021
Roberto V.
Great information, thank you so much for showing us
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Nov 17, 2020
kbc n.
Great post. I will be facing some of these issues as well..|
Reply
Nov 8, 2020
Darren P.
Hello There. I discovered your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thank you for the post. I will definitely return.
Reply
Sep 1, 2020
See AlsoWhen Those Scary Sock Indentations Don't Mean EdemaShould You Worry About Sock Indentation Marks On Your Legs? - Zakka LabWhat Are Those Sticky Black Marks On Your Carpet?When should I be worried about sock marks on my legs?Mao S.
Respect to post author, some fantastic information .
Reply
Apr 30, 2020
Dallas
Thank you Mrs. Tonya B, I love you and your response, I concur, “What’s the use in coming on site and getting no answers.!
Reply
Mar 26, 2020
Azh
I have a question: I don't know why when I wear socks I feel pain above my ankle specially when I play basketball. I feel like the socks somehow block blood circulation in my veins and cuase pain in my feet and above ankles but the days that I don't wear socks and I play basketball, I don't have any pain.
Reply
Mar 27, 2020
Jacob Z.
Hello and thank you for reaching out,
Unfortunately, we are limited in the individualized medical advice we can provide on this platform. We do recommend contacting your doctor as soon as you can regarding this. He or she is most aware of your medical history and past conditions.
If you are a Marshfield Clinic patient, you can message a provider directly through My Marshfield Clinic: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
Thank you – Jake
Reply
Feb 26, 2020
Jason
I drive truck and always have sock Mark's does it mean anything or what can I do to.stop the Mark's I drive for 11 hours a day
Reply
Feb 27, 2020
Jacob Z.
Hi Jason – thanks for reaching out,
Standing or sitting too long may cause lower leg swelling, or edema, with symptoms like sock marks.
These symptoms may not be a problem if they are mild and don't happen often. However, recurring or worsening lower leg swelling could be a sign of a chronic health problem.
We recommend talking to your doctor. They may prescribe medication that helps reduce the swelling. Compression stockings may also help reduce the swelling.
Thanks and hope that helps,
JakeReply
Jan 15, 2020
Hank H.
Should I be worried bout my calf swelling and hurts to touch or move it. Sock was tight and left a dent in my calf . I have hepatitis and hbp taking Lisinopril hctz
Reply
Jan 16, 2020
Jacob Z.
Hello Hank,
Thank you for reaching out. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individualized medical advice on this platform. We recommend contacting your doctor because he or she is aware of your medical history.
If you are a Marshfield Clinic patient, you can message a provider directly through My Marshfield Clinic: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
Thank you – Jake
Reply
Nov 20, 2019
Donna
My mother was in the hospital Feb 2019 she had a pair of compression stockins on one day and over night. They were hurting her so they took them off. She had pitting around ankles for several mths now the pitting is back and now Red around her one ankle. I am concerned she is 83 in Dec 5. Thank you God Bless
Reply
Nov 21, 2019
Jacob Z.
Hello Donna,
Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individualized medical advice on this platform. We recommend contacting your mother's doctor because he or she is aware of her medical history.
If you are a Marshfield Clinic patient, you can message a provder directly through My Marshfield Clinic: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
Thank you – Jake
Reply
Dec 26, 2019
tonya b.
What's good to come on the site to ask a medical question. When all you going to say for everything. I cant tell you any medical advice, you need to go see your physician who knows your medical history♀️ really!
Oct 27, 2019
Jeremy W.
My calf's swell with pitting edema and sore red spots often. Right legs worse. Setting standing boots tennis shoes it don't matter been doing this often for 6 months . I take 20 mg of licentiprill and have my BP around 135/65 . Heart rate 66 . I suffer from RLS OSA high BP. Low Testosterone and suffer from extreme fatigue mild anxiety . Some days it's hard to drive for wanting to doze off. I use a CPAP . Take T shots . And meds for RLS . And Zoloft for stress anxiety . Guess I need to have blood work soon.
Reply
Oct 31, 2019
richard k.
Guess you may need to go on dialysis!! Go have your kidney functions checked!!
Reply
Aug 18, 2019
Natalie s.
I'm trying to find out why there is a ring around my legs where the calf starts? My feet and lower legs are swollen.
Reply
Aug 19, 2019
Jacob Z.
Natalie,
Thank you for reading Shine365 and thank you for reaching out. We recommend talking to your health care provider – we are unable to provide medical advice on this platform. Your provider can help you best because they know your past medical history.
–Jake
Reply
Sep 22, 2019
Joan B.
I had this problem with swollen ankles and feet, no socks last two weeks, no more swelling.
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Jun 29, 2019
Bruce
Wat if you work 12 hours is it normal for the indents
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Jul 3, 2019
Jacob Z.
Hi, Bruce
I'd recommend reaching out to your primary care provider in regards to your question. Unfortunately, we cannot provide medical advice on this platform.
Thanks,
JakeReply
Sep 24, 2019
Joe
Yes
Reply
May 22, 2018
Jay
I take a efexone 120 mg.. then after a day i feel my ankle at the inner side is swelling bcoz of my socks is tight and 8 hrs wearing it.. and when i take it off… when i press it its not going back faster…
Reply
Jun 4, 2019
Joe
Get dome diabetes socks
Reply
Mar 10, 2017
Nancy
I have purchased knee high comprehension stockings but I find they dig into my leg right below the knee. Any suggestions?? Bought according to shoe size.
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Mar 13, 2017
Kirsten S.
Hi, Nancy. Great question.
Physical Therapist, Theresa, who helped with our story "Can wearing compression garments improve your health?" provided this response:
"Sometimes they are too long, and then petite sizing may be appropriate. If they are rolling down, you can try socks with a silicone dot top band so they better stick to your leg. You can talk to your doctor and get a referral to physical therapy. We can measure and assess, as sometimes shoe size isn't the best way to determine appropriate fit."
https://shine365.marshfieldclinic.org/heart-care/compression-garments-improve-health/
I hope this helps. -KirstieReply
Nov 7, 2018
Simon L.
I had the same problem, but it's much better after I have cut off an inch from top. Don't really need that extra tightness top ring to keep the socks from slipping.
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Oct 31, 2019
Boo Z.
Called getting old!!!!
Reply
Mar 8, 2017
agnes J.
I have a very swollen left leg and can't find socks that fit. All my numbers are good and am not on meds for blood pressure.. My Dr. says that it is just soft tissue but in the summer it is even worse and sometimes feel like I would just like to slash leg open and let it all ooze out. I don't think I retain water as I spend much time urinating. I do wonder if compression stockings would help but they have never been prescribed.
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Mar 9, 2017
Larry M.
I am suprised that the article did not mention DVT's which can also cause leg swelling.
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Mar 9, 2017
Kirsten S.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Larry. We do have a blog post discussing DVTs if you're interested in reading more on that topic: https://shine365.marshfieldclinic.org/heart-care/deep-vein-thrombosis/ -Kirstie
Mar 9, 2017
Lp
You can get your own compression stockings anywhere. It's much cheaper, copper socks may sound silly but they do work. I've been using them for a year and they help alot!
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