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  • Lymphedema
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Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Adventitial Cystic Disease
Aneurysms
Angina
Aortic Coarctation
Aortic Disease
Aortic Dissection
Aortic Root Aneurysm
Aortic Stenosis
Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease
Aortopathy
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Arteriovenous Malformation
Ascending Aortic Arch Aneurysm
Atherosclerosis
Atrial Fibrillation
AV Fistula
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Brachiocephalic Arterial Insufficiency
Bradycardia
Brugada Syndrome
Buergers Disease
Cardiac Amyloidosis
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiomyopathy
Carotid Artery Disease
Carotid Artery Stenosis
Chronic Coronary Total Occlusion
Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Connective Tissue Disorder
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Vasospasm
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Diabetic Arterial Disease
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dysphagia Lusoria
Familial Lipid Syndrome
Fibromuscular Dysplasia
Foot Leg Ulcers
Gestational Hypertension
Giant Cell Arteritis
Heart Disease
Heart Failure
Heart Murmurs
Heart Palpitations
Heart Valve Disease
Hypercholesterolemia
Hyperlipidemia
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Infective Endocarditis
Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Long QT Syndrome
Lyme Carditis
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May Thurner Syndrome
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Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Mitral Valve Stenosis
Myocarditis
Nutcracker Syndrome
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Peripheral Aneurysm
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral Venous Disease
Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome
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Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
Premature Ventricular Contraction
Pulmonary Embolism
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection
Tachycardia
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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Varicose Spider Veins
Vascular Malformations
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Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome
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Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a condition in which swelling — also called edema — occurs.

Looking For Lymphedema Care?

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  • Heart and Vascular

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On this page

  • What Is Lymphedema?
  • What Are The Symptoms Of Lymphedema?
  • How Do You Treat Lymphedema?

What Is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a condition in which swelling — also called edema — occurs.

The cause is an abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the space between the body's cells.

Lymphedema can be present at birth. It also commonly occurs after the removal of or damage to lymph nodes during cancer treatment.

It usually affects the arms or legs.

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Lymphedema?

Symptoms of can include:

  • Swelling in your arms, feet, and/or legs.
  • Heaviness or tightness in your arms or legs.
  • Limited range of motion due to swelling.
  • Ulcers or sores on the legs, in advanced stages.

Lymphedema symptoms can be like those of other vascular conditions, including:

  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
  • May-Thurner syndrome.

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How Do You Treat Lymphedema?

Treatment options for lymphedema include:

  • Leg elevation.
  • Manual lymphatic massage by a physical therapy team.
  • Leg compression with stockings, wraps, or layered bandages.
  • Exercise and weight loss.
  • Local wound care, if necessary.

If you have lymphedema, your UPMC vascular surgeon will refer you to UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, which offers comprehensive lymphedema management and treatment.


By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-10-01.

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