Ten symptoms of heart disease on the skin

Cardiovascular complications are among the top health conditions that lead to mortality across the globe. The reason is that often some of the early symptoms of heart disease seen on skin and nails are dismissed by people due to lack of awareness about their veracity. If detected on time, they could help in early intervention and increase the chance of recovery.

Some lesser known skin problems that could be warning signs of heart diseases are:

1. Swelling

Experts say that swelling could be an early sign of heart failure. “Swelling on the face or swelling in the lower limbs, along with that skin feeling puffy, are signs of heart failure,” says Dr Amit Kumar Singhal, senior consultant, Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur.

Dr. Supratip Kundu, Cardiologist, AMRI Hospitals Kolkata says that this early symptom of heart disease is called edema and it indicates that the heart is not able to pump enough blood.

2. Bluish discoloration of skin

Bluish discolouration of the lips, ear lobes or fingertips is called cyanosis. “Cyanosis means there is a problem with the blood oxygenation in your heart, so there can be a problem in the heart valves or there could be structural changes in the heart,” says Dr. Subhashini Mohan, Dermatologist, Fortis Malar, Chennai.

Blue or purple discoloration on the legs or feet can also be one of the symptoms of heart disease that presents on the skin. It can be a sign of poor circulation or of a congenital heart disease. Dr Kundu adds that in young patients, bluish discolouration of the skin is a sign of cyanotic heart disease.

3. Yellowish deposits around eyes

“Small yellow depositions around the eyes are cholesterol deposits and you should get a lipid profile test (blood test to measure cholesterol levels) done if you have them,” says Dr Mohan. These deposits are called arcus senilis and Dr Kundu says that these deposits are formed due to high cholesterol levels and these are often found in people with a high heart attack risk.

4. Clubbing of nails

Clubbing of the nails is a sign of heart disease. The angle of the nails changes and becomes thicker and rounder than normal. “Increased curving of the nails could be a sign of a heart infection or a heart disease,” says Dr Kundu. It is also a sign of congenital heart disease.

5. Red or brown bruises on the skin

“Red or brown bruises on the skin is a sign of some type of blockage in the coronary arteries or peripheral arteries,” says Dr Mohan.
“Rashes on the skin for toddlers, along with strawberry tongue could be a sign of Kawasaki disease (inflammation of coronary arteries),” says Dr Kundu.

6. Pigmentation in neck, under arm

“Pigmentation in the neck or under your armpit could be a sign of metabolic syndrome which indirectly leads to heart disease,” says Dr Mohan. She adds that she sees it more often in children.

7. Net like patterns on skin

This condition is called livedo reticularis. “Net like patterns on the skin that are red or velvet in colour could be a sign of blockage in the arteries,” says Dr Mohan. You can see this mostly in lower legs or thighs. This is also a sign of swollen blood vessels.

8. Irregular bumps on the skin

Abnormal or irregular bumps on the skin, on the arms and legs, could be a sign of high cholesterol. “These are cholesterol bumps, and it means that your cholesterol is high. This high cholesterol leads to blockage in the heart, causing a heart attack,” says Dr Singhal.

9. Lumps in the fingers or toes

These lumps are painful and can occur in the fingers or in the toes. This could also be a sign of a heart disease. “Painful lumps are a sign of heart infection,” says Dr Kundu.

10. Hemorrhages under nails

There can be thin red or brownish lines under the nails caused by bleeding in the nail bed. “Small hemorrhages under the nails could be a sign of an infection of valves in your heart,” says Dr Mohan.

Reversing these skin changes depends on the condition you have. “A few skin infections might go away with lifestyle changes, but certain structural heart diseases will need more intervention,” says Dr. Mohan.

“If you think you have the signs of a heart disease, you should get the required medical attention and treatment. The changes on the skin may also go,” says Dr. Singhal.