Surprising Signs of a Damaged Heart
In the Western world, where one in four
people succumb to cardiovascular disease, the importance of keeping the
heart in good working order is hard to overemphasize. Unfortunately, the
first sign that many people have that their heart isn’t working as it
should is when they have a heart attack.
Although you cannot see your heart beating
in your chest – not without specialist equipment at least - there are
visible, external signs that can indicate if something is wrong with
your heart, before you suffer from a life-changing or life-ending
cardiovascular event.
Fatty Bumps
One external indicator of heart problems
are yellow, fatty bumps – known clinically as xanthomas – that can
appear on the knees, elbows, eyelids, or buttocks. The bumps themselves
are harmless. But they are a sign of bigger problems.
Xanthomas are often found in people with a genetic disease knows as
familial hypercholesterolemia. Those who suffer from this condition have
high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol – so-called “bad
cholesterol.” The levels of this cholesterol are so high that they
become deposited in the skin. Unfortunately, these fat deposits are also
laid down in the arteries that supply the heart.
Creased Earlobes
Another external indicator is the presence of diagonal creases on the
earlobes – known as Frank’s sign, named after Sanders Frank, the
American doctor who first described the sign.
Studies have proven that there is an association with the visible
external crease on the earlobe and increased risk of atherosclerosis, a
disease where plaque builds up inside the arteries. It’s not clear what
the cause of the association is, but some have postulated that it has
something to do with the shared embryological origin. Most recently, it
has been seen that these creases are also implicated in cerebrovascular
disease – disease of the blood vessels in the brain.
Halo around the Iris
Fat deposits might also be seen in the eye, as a gray ring around the
outside of the iris, the colored part of the eye. This ring, known as an
arcus senilis, starts at the top and bottom of the iris before
progressing to form a complete ring. It doesn’t interfere with vision.
Around 45% of people over the age of 40 have this fatty halo around
their iris, rising to around 70% of people over the age of 60. The
presence of this ring of fat has been proven to be associated with some
of the risk factors for coronary heart disease.
Clubbed Fingernails
A phenomenon by the name of digital
clubbing might also be a sign that all is not well with your heart. This
is where the fingernails change shape, becoming thicker and wider, due
to an increased production of tissue. The change is usually painless and
occurs on both hands.
The reason this change indicates heart issues is because oxygenated
blood is not reaching the fingers properly and so the cells produce a
factor to try to rectify the issue.
Rotten Gums and Loose Teeth
Your oral health can also be a great predictor of the state of your
cardiovascular health. Your mouth is full of bacteria, both good and
bad. The “bad” bacteria can enter the bloodstream from the mouth and
cause inflammation in the blood vessels, which can lead to
cardiovascular disease.
Studies have shown that inflamed gums and tooth loss are markers of
heart disease.
Blue Lips
Another heart health indicator is the color of your lips. The lips are
usually red, but they can take on a bluish color in people with
underlying heart issues, due to the failure of the cardiovascular system
to deliver oxygenated blood to tissues.
Of course, people can get blue lips if they’re extremely cold or have
been at a high altitude. If this is the case, blue lips are probably
just due to a temporary lack of oxygen and will resolve quite quickly.
The other five symptoms above can also have benign causes, so if you’re
worried or in doubt, you should contact your doctor or another
healthcare professional for an expert opinion.