In the UK, cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death, accounting for around a quarter of all fatalities every year.
It is the name for a range of conditions that can affect the heart and circulatory system including heart failure, strokes and coronary heart disease. These are typically linked to a build up of fat in the arteries called atherosclerosis.
As with any medical condition, the sooner you spot any of the warning signs of atherosclerosis or cardiovascular disease the sooner you can seek the treatment you need.
Some symptoms are more well known such as chest pain or shortness of breath. But others are less so.
One expert shared an unusual sign of clogged arteries that can appear in an unlikely place – the ear.
Speaking on TikTok, naturopathic doctor Dr Janine Bowring warned of Frank’s sign.
This is a small crease in a diagonal position on the lower part of your earlobe.
“Here’s the clogged artery sign your doctor never told you and it’s known as Frank’s sign,” she told her 390,000 followers.
“So please check your ears and on your earlobes if there’s a crease that looks someone like this, this is known as Frank’s sign.”
Dr Bowring explained more about the symptom.
“It was discovered by Doctor Frank and this was back in 1975 that a number of his patients under the age of 60 who had angina and coronary artery disease had this crease on their ear lobes,” she said.
“And it was found in a recent study now in 2021 that patients with an earlobe crease may associate with lower concentration of an age suppressing hormone or enzyme known as klotho.
“Klotho is known to be implicated in endothelial dysfunction in the artery so that is really important.”
A separate study, published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine in 2021, analysed 3,951 patients with coronary disease.
Researchers concluded that although “its mere presence or absence should not affect the clinical management of the patients”.
They said: “However, for its feasibility and easy interpretation, Frank’s sign could be considered as a part of physical examination.”
While some people are more at risk of atherosclerosis due to genetics, it is often linked to lifestyle choices such as diet and smoking.
Therefore, to lower your risk the NHS advises you:
- Eat healthily and eat less saturated fat and sugar
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Keep your blood sugar levels under control if you have diabetes
- Do not smoke
- Do not drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week.
Dr Bowring recommended some natural remedies. She said: “My tips here to keep your arteries clean: make sure that you are getting some garlic in your diet.
“There are herbal medicines as well like Fo-Ti and guggulsterone help to keep those arteries clean.”
Some people do not display any signs of atherosclerosis, but it can cause:
- Chest pain
- Pain in your arms and legs, especially when exercising
- Feeling short of breath
- feeling tired all the time
- Feeling weak
- Feeling confused.
If you experience any symptoms or are concerned about your heart health you should speak to your doctor.
