Do you know paying attention to your hands can help you prevent heart disease?
Research shows that your hands are one of the most overlooked organs that signal problems
with your heart (1).
Recent worldwide statistics show that over 30% of deaths are caused by heart disease
(2).
In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), someone suffers
from a heart attack every forty seconds in the United States (3).
You would think that such a deadly disease has many warning signs, but it does not.
A new survey by American researchers found that over 63% of people believe it’s likely
they will suffer from heart disease within the next 10 years (4).
Even though everyone sees their hands all the time, most people don’t notice when
they are signaling a serious health problem such as cardiovascular disease.
In today's video, you’ll learn five easily ignored signs and symptoms on your hands that
could warn you of heart trouble.
As always, this video is educational and does not constitute medical advice; we are not
doctors.
Number 5.
Painful Finger Bumps.
Lumps on the fingers, especially at the tip, that are tender, purple-pink, and painful,
are called Osler’s nodes (5).
These lumps could be a sign of infective endocarditis - a life-threatening inflammation of the cardiovascular
system.
A bacterial infection that spreads into your heart and blood vessels could lead to endocarditis.
If you notice painful lumps on your fingers, you should not ignore them, because doing
so might cause irreversible damage to your heart.
A report from Wayne State University School of Medicine explains that Osler’s nodes
develop as a result of inflammation in the blood vessel (6).
This leads to bacterial infection in the dermis (the middle layer of the skin), which leads
to increased inflammation in the cardiovascular system.
Osler’s nodes may disappear on their own within a couple of days.
But this does not mean it’s harmless (7).
See a doctor for a skin biopsy if you suspect that the lumps on your fingers are Osler’s
nodes.
You can also consult a cardiologist to determine if the bump is related to a heart condition.
Number 4.
Reddish-brown or purple lines on nails.
Red or purple lines underneath your nails (nail bed) are a common symptom of splinter
hemorrhages.
This condition results from damaged blood vessels on your fingernails (8).
And it could be a sign of heart-related issues.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), splinter hemorrhages, alongside
fever and irregular heartbeat, could be signs of heart disease (10).
Researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York explain that multiple
lines on your nails could show a serious health problem (9).
Splinter hemorrhaging occurs because of bleeding in the blood vessels underneath your nails.
This could be caused by trauma or bacterial infection that has spread into the cardiovascular
system, says the New England Journal of Medicine (8).
Number 3.
Fingernails clubbing.
Even though you probably never heard of the term clubbing, an article published in the
American Journal of Medicine says it’s a common condition (10).
People who have clubbing experience enlarged fingernails, soft nail beds, and downward-curved
nails.
It usually occurs when oxygen in the blood is low (11).
One of the major causes of clubbing is infective endocarditis, which is a bacterial infection
of the heart chamber and valves.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, clubbing is diagnosed when “the angle that forms
between the nail plate and the soft tissue of the distal digit is greater than 180 degrees”
(12).
While this condition is common in people with birth defects, it can also occur because of
heart disease, osteoarthritis, and lung disease.
If clubbing is caused by heart disease, the symptoms will begin in the thumb and index
fingers.
This disease develops quickly but can be healed easily once the underlying cause has been
treated.
If you notice your fingernails are bulging, see a physician as soon as possible.
Number 2.
Weak, tingling, and waxy hands.
Amyloidosis is a rare condition that is characterized by numbness, pain, weakness, and wax-like
bumps on the hands.
It develops as a result of the buildup of an irregular protein called amyloid (13).
When amyloid deposits increase in the heart, it replaces the heart muscles and causes Cardiac
Amyloidosis (stiff heart syndrome).
This condition makes it difficult for the heart to function properly.
And it might lead to cardiovascular cell signaling problems and abnormal heartbeat.
The American Heart Association (AHA) journal explains that Cardiac amyloidosis reduces
the amount of blood that flows into the heart; this leads to a slowdown of blood circulation
in the body (14).
Because the blood supply is low, the amount of oxygen your hands receive is reduced, thus
causing wax-like hands, pain, and a weak grip.
If you notice any of these symptoms on your hands, contact your physician without hesitation,
as your heart might be in danger.
1.
Colored spots on the palms
According to the Harvard Medical School, bluish-red or brown painless patches on the palms are
called Janeway lesions (15).
This condition is caused by blood clots containing bacteria (septic emboli) that lead to infection
in the circulatory system.
Janeway lesions develop and disappear quickly (often within days), which means most people
will not notice them (16, 17).
That is why you need to consult a doctor as soon as you see discoloration on your palms
to test if you have a heart problem.
While most people will only visit a doctor when they feel sick, it is always better to
prevent an illness than to cure it, especially when it comes to heart-related issues.
A study published in Clinical Cardiology shows that 80% of heart-related problems can be
prevented by avoiding harmful lifestyle choices.
The team adds a poor diet, being overweight, and cigarette smoking significantly increase
a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease (18).
This means that you can reduce your risk of heart problems by modifying your lifestyle
and paying attention to your body, especially your hands.
It is also important to visit your physician for routine checkups.
You should speak to your doctor about your diet, lifestyle, body symptoms, and any other
health concerns you may have.
Are you including heart-healthy foods in your diet?
To get your FREE heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory diet plan, click the link below.
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And now, over to you: what are you doing to support your heart health?
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