Your body always warns you about a heart attack. However, according to doctors, most of us do not listen to it. Some people experience early signs of the condition in the days or hours leading up to a cardiac event, and those indicators may be much less obvious than you might expect.
Recognising early symptoms of a heart attack can save your life or the life of someone around you.
Warning signs can appear on your skin and nails, which is why your dermatologist may be the first doctor to notice that you have heart disease. If you know what to look for, you can also find warning signs of disease on your skin and nails.
Blue or purple colour
When you are extremely cold, your skin turns blue or purple in colour. Doctors say it happens when you do not get enough oxygen and leads to a condition known as blue toe syndrome, which happens when one or more blood vessels are blocked.
Also known as cyanosis, the condition causes the skin and underlying tissue to die without treatment.
Blue or purple net-like pattern
A few times, you would have seen a blue or purple net-like pattern on your skin when you felt chilly. When the skin warms up, this pattern disappears. It is also possible to see this pattern when taking certain medications. If one of these is causing the netlike pattern, it’s usually nothing to worry about.
This netlike pattern can also be a sign of a disease known as cholesterol embolisation syndrome, which occurs when small arteries become blocked. The blockage can lead to damaged tissues and organs, so it is important to see a doctor to find out whether you have an undiagnosed disease.
Yellow-orange, waxy growths on skin
If you notice yellowish-orange growths on your skin, you may have deposits of cholesterol under your skin. Even though they are painless, these deposits appear in many areas, including the corners of your eyes, lines on your palms, or the backs of your lower legs.
If you notice these growths on any area of your skin, see your doctor. You may need cholesterol testing or another medical test. Unhealthy cholesterol levels require treatment, which can prevent life-threatening heart disease. Getting your cholesterol levels under control may also help clear the growths on your skin.
Finger clubbing
When your nails begin to curve from one end and your fingers show inflammation, it is a sign of either a heart infection, heart disease, or lung problems. For many people, these signs are harmless.
However, if your fingers and nails look like this, it is best to find out if you may have a medical condition, such as lung disease or a heart problem.
Waxy bumps on your skin
If you notice waxy bumps on your skin, these can be signs of protein deposits in your heart or another organ. The waxy lumps appear anywhere on the skin and indicate that there is an abnormal buildup of protein in an organ, such as your heart. If protein builds up in the heart, it’s hard for the heart to work properly.