When you press on your leg and it leaves a dent, it means you have pitting edema.
When you push on your skin including on your leg and it stays in and leaves a dent, it means that you have pitting edema.
Pitting edema, where you press on your skin and it leaves an indentation or "pit" that takes some time to pop back occurs when excess fluid builds up in your tissues and becomes temporarily pushed aside, which signals that you have internal fluid retention, instead of an infection.
It's common to experience some temporary pitting from prolonged sitting or standing, but any persistent pitting edema is a symptom of several kinds of underlying health issues.
The health issues that can occur with pitting edema include.
Systemic health conditions like heart issues, kidney issues or liver issues.
Circulation issues like venous insufficiency or even varicose veins, which make it harder for your blood to pump back to your heart.
And even some medications like certain blood pressure medications or steroids can cause fluid retention as a side effect.
If you have consistent pitting edema, even after you get plenty of exercise and don't stay sitting or standing too long you should see a doctor, especially if the pitting edema is new.
If you experience any shortness of breath, chest pain, irregular heartbeat or rapid weight gain, along with the pitting edema or swelling you should seek emergency medical care.
Pitting edema does not always mean heart failure or heart or other health issues.
Although pitting edema is a common symptom of congestive heart failure, but also occurs whenever excess fluid builds up in your tissues, which can be caused by other issues.
Even high sodium intake and thyroid problems as well as liver disease and kidney disease can lead to pitting edema.