Heart disease is one of the world’s leading causes of death. The problem is, it’s known as a ‘silent killer’ since people who die of the ailment suddenly get a heart attack. The good thing is, there are certain signs which could tell you that you may have a heart disease. Here are 5 unexpected symptoms to look out for.
- Clubbed fingernails. If the shape of your fingernails change to the point where they seem swollen, thicker and wider, have yourself checked by a doctor. This happens because more tissue is being produced. This is linked to heart diseases because if your fingers do not regularly get oxygenated blood, the body overcompensates. Thus, the creation of extra tissue.
- Ring around eyes. Most people may think that this is the early onset of a cataract, but it could be something else altogether. Fat deposits around the eye, in the form of a gray ring just around the border of the iris, could signify a heart ailment. The deposits actually start either at the bottom or top of the iris, before it progresses into a ring. It does not actually interfere with your vision. Forty-five percent of people age 40 or more have the ring, while the chances of getting it is 70 percent if you are 60 years or older.
- Bluish Lips. It’s normal to get blue lips when it’s extremely cold or when you are in high altitudes. But if you have it for no reason, then there may be an underlying problem. You see, then you lips cannot bet oxygenated blood, it turns bluish. And this usually happens when the cardiovascular system is failing at some point.
- Swelling gums and tooth loss. What does your gums and teeth have to do with your heart? You’ll be surprised. Your mouth is full of bacteria—good and bad. When there are inflammations, the bacteria can get into the blood stream, which in turn, can go straight to your heart. So suffering from regular gum swelling and tooth loss can mean more that it looks.
- Creased earlobes. Quite a strange symptom, but more than 40 studies showed association between creased earlobes and a higher risk of atherosclerosis. The disease is characterized by the build-up of plaque in arteries. The creased lobe is also known as Frank’s sign, named after the American doctor, Sanders frank, who first described it. The relation of the crease to heart disease is actually unclear, but most scientists assume it is because of an embryological link. The crease has also been linked with cerebrovascular disease.
It’s also good to note the regular symptoms of a heart disease like dizziness, chest pain or discomfort, abnormally slow or fast heartbeat, lightheadedness and shortness of breath. There’s also fatigue, swelling of ankles, feet and legs.
If you experience any of these symptoms, or even a combination, it’s time to visit your physician. While it may not necessarily indicate a heart disease, it could signify something else. Regardless, you get to jumpstart any treatment so it won’t get worse.
