From forehead wrinkles to eye bumps and a key sign on your ears – the 6 signs of hidden heart disease on your face

WE spend a lot of time in front of the mirror looking at our faces, running our fingers over new wrinkles, covering up signs of weathering or squeezing spots. It’s easy to blame it all on getting old, but you could be missing signs of a potential heart issue. The face can offer subtle clues about what may be happening internally Credit: Shutterstock From wrinkles to cracked lips, here are the signs of a potential heart issue Credit: Getty More than 8million people in the UK are living with cardiovascular disease, a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, with 460 people dying of it daily, according to the British Heart Foundation. Chest pain, shortness of breath and swollen ankles are more recognisable symptoms of cardiovascular problems, which include coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke – but they are not the only ones. “The face can sometimes provide subtle clues about what may be happening internally,” says Dr Angela Tewari, consultant dermatologist and founder of Dermatology Studios, London. While none of these signs prove anything on their own, if you’re concerned and noticing other worrying symptoms, talk to your GP. PLAY IT BY EAR A crease across your ear lobe, which is also known as a Frank’s sign, could be the marker of heart issues Credit: Shutterstock OUR skin has many folds and lines, but a crease across the ear lobe that doesn’t fade is known as Frank’s sign. “This is common and seen in up to 75% of people over 60. It often simply reflects normal ageing, and we know that age is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease,” says Dr Michael Zemenides, GP and co-founder of The A-Z General Practice at The Wellington Hospital. But it could also be a marker of heart issues. “Research has found that people with Frank’s sign may have a higher likelihood of coronary artery disease compared with those without it,” says Dr Zemenides. The crease may reflect changes in the body’s small blood vessels. A study published in health journal Cureus found Frank’s sign was more common in people with severe artery blockage who died of heart disease, compared to people who died from non-heart-disease causes. MELLOW YELLOW Yellow fatty deposits around your eyelids is a sign of high cholesterol Credit: Getty Noticed little yellow bumps or flat patches around your eyelids? They’re known as xanthelasma, and are more likely to affect smokers and women. “These are soft, yellow fatty deposits that form under the skin, particularly near the inner corners of the eyes,” says optometrist Ian White. “Xanthelasma is linked to high cholesterol and may signal underlying heart health issues,” adds Ian. “If you notice these patches, talk to your GP, especially if they are new or increasing,” says Dr Zemenides. GREY AREA If you see a pale grey ring around your iris – it’s a sign of a gradual build-up of fat deposits Credit: Getty If you spot a pale grey or white ring around your iris – the coloured part of your eye – you could have a condition known as arcus senilis. “This is most commonly seen in people over the age of 60,” says Ian. “It’s caused by a gradual build-up of fat deposits and is considered a normal part of ageing. It doesn’t affect vision. However, if you notice these rings developing much earlier, perhaps in your 30s or 40s, it may point to raised cholesterol levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.” Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood, but too much of it can narrow arteries and lead to atherosclerosis (fatty plaque build-up), which can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Most people with high cholesterol don’t have any symptoms, which is why it’s important to have a blood test with your GP every five years over the age of 40 as part of the NHS Health Check. WRINKLE IN TIME A study found those with deep forehead wrinkles were 10 times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease Credit: Getty Wrinkles etched on to your face might reveal more about you than just your go-to facial expressions. “Research has explored whether visible signs of ageing, including deeper forehead wrinkles, may be associated with cardiovascular risk,” says Dr Tewari. One long-term study of 3,000 people found those with deep forehead wrinkles were 10 times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease.* Researchers said prominent wrinkles could be a marker of atherosclerosis – hardening of the arteries due to plaque build-up. Dr Alex Liu, consultant cardiologist at Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital, says: “Ageing and cardiovascular disease are complex processes, but, logically, if we keep our hearts healthy, it can help our organs and tissues to stay healthy. This is because it ensures that these receive oxygen and nutrients while being rid of waste continuously. When a patient’s heart fails to function properly, the organs it supplies may not work as well.” But don’t panic at the sight of new lines – as Dr Tewari says: “Many people with deep forehead lines have completely healthy hearts.” CRACKED IT Cracked lips can indicate nutrient deficiency which plays a role in your heart health Credit: Shutterstock / Anetlanda Cold weather or dehydration will often leave your lips cracked. However, persistent dryness may indicate a nutrient deficiency. “These include B vitamins, such as riboflavin (B2), vitamins B6 and B12, as well as iron,” says Rob Hobson, registered nutritionist at Healthspan. “Several of these play wider roles in cardiovascular health. Vitamins B6 and B12 help regulate levels of homocysteine in the blood, a compound that’s been linked to heart disease risk when levels become elevated.” Eat enough B vitamins and iron via foods like eggs, oily fish, dairy, fortified foods, leafy greens, lean meat and beans, he adds. RED FACED People with rosacea have been found to be more likely to have an increased heart disease risk Credit: Getty Is your face always rosy, even when you’re not blushing or warm? “Flushed or persistently red skin is commonly linked to blood vessel reactivity and skin conditions like rosacea,” says Dr Inna Szalontay, a dermatologist and founder of Libi & Daughters Clinic. Rosacea is a chronic condition that affects blood vessels across the body, with dilated blood vessels in the face causing red skin, small bumps and pus-filled spots similar to acne. Research shows people with the skin condition are also more likely to have conditions that increase heart disease risk, too, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome, which is a group of conditions linked to heart disease.** One explanation is that rosacea is linked to chronic inflammation, a major driver of cardiovascular disease. HEART CHECK ACCORDING to the BHF, around 4 million males and 3.6 million females in the UK are living with some form of heart or circulatory disease. Here are the main symptoms: Chest pain Arm, jaw, neck and back pain Swollen ankles Cramping in your calves Extreme fatigue Palpitations Reduce your risk of potentially fatal heart issues with these lifestyle habits, especially those that keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels down: Eat a healthy diet – high fibre, low in salt and saturated fat. Move more – walking, swimming and dancing all help keep your heart muscles healthy. Don’t smoke – you can halve your risk of heart attack within a year of quitting smoking. Drink less – a few booze-free days a week will help stick to the NHS guidelines of 14 units or less. Slim down – all the above, plus sleeping enough, can help keep you at a healthy weight.