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Is It True That Ear Folds Can Detect the Risk of Heart Disease?

March 03, 2019
You are at high risk of heart disease if you are overweight or smoking. But what does your earlobe say about heart disease?

If the ear that is considered "normal" usually looks smooth, there are some people who have pleats with curves that look like wrinkles or folds as if splitting the ear hole into. An open letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1973 reported that the diagonal fold of the earlobe (called ELC) was an indicator of potential coronary artery disease (CAD). This fold is then called "Frank's sign," because the author of the letter is Dr. Sanders T. Frank.

Does a small sign in your ear have a connection with heart disease?

How can ear folds show heart disease?

how to detect heart disease
Scientists are not yet sure how these two things can be interconnected, but there are several theories. Degeneration of elastic tissue around small blood vessels that carries blood to the ear will result in folds in the earlobe.

This shows the same type of changes in blood vessels associated with CAD. In other words, changes seen in the small blood vessels in the ear indicate the same changes in blood vessels around the heart that are not visible.

Rare disorders such as Beckwith-Wiedemann's syndrome, impaired overgrowth in children, or genetic factors such as race and ear leaf shape can also cause these folds.

So what should you do if you have ear folds?

Research that justifies the risk of heart disease in owners of ear folds

Some scientists see a potential connection between earfold folds and CAD. Some studies show a correlation, while others do not.

A study involving 340 patients and published in 1982 found that earlobe folds were a sign associated with aging and CAD.

These folds indicate a form of severe heart disease in those who show symptoms.

Ear folds, according to the researchers, "can identify patients who are prone to premature aging and early development of coronary artery disease, which is predicted to be cured through early preventative measures".

Another study published in 1989 studied the body of 300 patients who died of various causes.

In this study, diagonal folds in the auricle were associated with cardiovascular causes of death. The researchers wrote, "We found a strong association between ear folds and causes of cardiovascular death in men and women after control of age, height, and diabetes".

A study in 1991 found the same results.

The same was found in a study published in 2006 which reported that ear folds in people aged less than 40 years were a CAD sign in 80% of cases.

In a study in 2012, as many as 430 patients who did not have CAD history were examined for folds of their ears and then underwent a CT scan to find out CAD. As a result, those who have ear folds tend to develop CAD.

Opposing research

Other research shows different results. A study in 1980 showed no significant relationship between ELC and CAD in Indian ancestry.

This shows that "Frank signs" might not show the same correlation in other ethnic groups.

Other studies of Japanese descent also found no correlation. Research has shown that these signs may not be very visible in people at risk for CAD, especially diabetes.

Some studies suggest that as human aging, the number of pleats and heart disease will both increase - especially after reaching the age of 50 and above.

This does not mean anything to do with anything else. A study conducted by the University of Massachusetts Media School concluded that earfold folds were a simple feature of the human aging process.


Then what does the ear fold mean?

Some studies have now formed a connection between earlobe folds and heart disease, that in fact this is quite serious.

A review of a NYU Medical School student in 2011 concluded that ELC can provide predictions of CAD more frequently than traditional risk factors and it may be useful to identify patients with heart disease.

Check with your doctor first.

Doctors will usually test blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other risk factors. Taking into account everything — including your ears — will create a clear picture of the overall risk and help determine what steps can be taken to protect your heart health.

Read too :
Ways to Predict Heart Attack in Women
How Can Cigarettes Cause Heart Disease?
How to Fix Heart Defects?
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Ways to Predict Heart Attack in Women

March 03, 2019
Heart disease has become a disease that is familiar to us. This disease is the number 3 cause of death in the world. In fact, we can predict the emergence of an attack with signs that exist, so that we can actively prevent it before it occurs. In women, symptoms that arise usually are not typical. Therefore, we must calculate the potential for attacks from afar.

Various studies have been carried out in predicting the risk of heart attack, the most famous of which is the Framingham Heart Study (FHS). From the FHS, a prediction model was developed called the Framingham Risk Score (FRS), to predict the occurrence of cardiovascular events in the next 10 years. Predictions between men and women are slightly different, this difference arises because of the age difference in attacks from previous cases, as well as the interaction of risk factors that affect a person.

Calculate the risk of a heart attack through the Framingham Risk Score (FRS)

detect heart attacks in women
The Framingham Risk Score (FRS) consists of several components which include age, total blood cholesterol, smoking habits, total HDL (good cholesterol), and systolic blood pressure.

So before calculating, you should check the fat profile first.

This check should be routinely carried out to find out the fat profile in the body which is strongly influenced by a very dynamic diet. From the sum of the various components, it will be known how risky you are for a heart attack.
risk of a woman's heart attack
Besides FHS, there are several prediction models with other scoring systems. Various studies were developed and are expected to be able to improve and predict more precisely, including Reynolds Risk Score (RRS) and Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE).

FRS and RRS are more widely used in groups in the United States, while SCORE is developed exclusively from study data in European countries.

After calculating through the table above, we must pay attention to the things below, before doing prevention.

The following is the American Heart Association Guide in 2011 that included other risk factors and tried to estimate the long-term risks beyond the conventional 10-year prediction.

High risk (> 1 high risk condition)

•        Heart disease that has manifested clinically, such as a frequent heart pounding, fatigue during activity, and chest pain.
•        Cerebrovascular disease that has manifested clinically such as having had a stroke.
•        Peripheral arterial disease that has clinical manifestations.
•        Chronic kidney disease.
•        Diabetes mellitus.
•        Prediction of cardiovascular risk> 10% within 10 years.

Medium risk or risk (> 1 major risk factor)

•        Smoking.
•        Blood pressure (BP) systolic> 120 mmHg and Diastolic BP> 80 mmHg or hypertension in therapy.
•        Total cholesterol> 200 mg / dl, HDL-C <50 mg / dL or receiving dyslipidemia.
•        Obesity, especially central obesity (distended stomach).
•        Unhealthy eating patterns.
•        Physical inactivity.
•        Family history of early heart attacks (men aged <55 years or women aged <65) in one generation before, for example father, mother, uncle or aunt.
•        The presence of metabolic syndrome characterized by large abdominal circumference and poor fat profile.
•        Ability to exercise capacity as evidenced by the treadmill weight training test or abnormal pulse recovery after stopping the training test.
•        Vascular collagen disease due to autoimmune disorders (lupus or rheumatois arthritis).
•        History of preeclampsia (pregnancy poisoning), gestational diabetes (in pregnancy), or pregnancy-related hypertension.

What are the criteria for optimal heart condition?

The optimal heart condition is the ideal condition that prevents a person from a heart attack. All criteria must be met before the heart is declared to be in optimal condition. Keriteria, among others:

•        Total cholesterol <200 mg / dL (without drug therapy)
•        TD <120/80 mmHg (without drug therapy)
•        Fasting blood sugar <100 mg / dL (without drug therapy)
•        Body mass index <25 kg / m2
•        Do not smoke
•        Physical activity for adults> 20 years: moderate intensity exercise> 150 minutes per week, exercise intensity> 75 minutes / week
•        Follow a healthy diet (DASH diet or its variants)

Well, after following the explanation above, even though you currently look fine, there are no complaints, it's a good idea to start calculating potential that might be experienced later on.

That way, you can actively prevent by changing your life habits, diet, activity patterns, and other lifestyle to be healthier. Good luck.

Read too :
How Can Cigarettes Cause Heart Disease? 
How to Fix Heart Defects?
Symptoms of a Heart Attack Based on Age and Gender
Read More
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How Can Cigarettes Cause Heart Disease?

March 03, 2019
If you have considered the negative effects of smoking, of course you know that cigarettes spend your money, make your clothes smell of smoke, teeth and nails turn yellow, and increase the risk of cancer. And remember that smoking can also increase the chance of having a heart attack whose effects may not be seen until eventually the disease develops and it's too late to do prevention.

Coronary heart disease is a form of cardiovascular disease. In fact, it is estimated that smoking can increase the risk of heart disease by up to 4 times compared to non-smokers. In addition, according to the National Cancer Institute, people who smoke are 6 times more prone to heart attacks.

Even though you may know that smoking can cause lung cancer, the negative effects of bad habits are far more dangerous.

Smoking and tobacco use can cause various diseases and health problems, while reducing the health of the smoker. In addition, smoking has proven to be a cause of damage to almost every organ of the body, including the heart.
smoking causes heart disease
The good news is that smoking is the most avoided cause of premature death in the United States according to the American Heart Association.

In other words, digging deeper into the relationship between smoking and heart disease - and stopping as soon as possible - can be a life-saving step.

How do cigarettes cause heart disease?

Smoking can cause the lining of the arteries to break down, the artery walls to thicken, and fat buildup and plaques occur that block blood flow along the arteries.

The occurrence of fat accumulation in the arteries is called atherosclerosis. When the arteries that supply blood to the heart experience constriction, the blood supply that is rich in oxygen to the heart will decrease which can lead to coronary heart disease.

Narrowing of the arteries will be very dangerous during physical activity. The heart that continues to be forced to work pumping can cause chest pain or even a heart attack (in the case of a complete blockage of the arteries).

What can increase the risk of a heart attack?

Smoking is never labeled "safe" and the more cigarettes you smoke, the greater your risk of a heart attack.

Smoking itself is actually a risk factor for heart disease and heart attacks, but when smoking is accompanied by the following factors, even your risk will increase:

•        Family history of heart disease
•        High cholesterol
•        High blood pressure
•        Diabetes
•        Not active, overweight or obese

Women who smoke and use birth control pills, the risk of heart disease will also increase. Studies show that women who use high-dose birth control pills (oral contraceptives) are at greater risk of heart attack or stroke.

Many oral contraceptives increase the risk of blood clots, and smoking actually supports the formation of blood clots in blood vessels.

Can passive smokers get heart disease?

Even cigarette smoke can cause heart problems, depending on how much you are exposed to cigarette smoke.

There is a clear correlation between cigarette smoke (the smoke you breathe when you are close to other people who smoke) with cardiovascular disease.

Those who are regularly exposed to cigarette smoke experience an increased risk of heart disease that develops up to 30% and nearly 40,000 people die each year from heart and blood vessel disease caused by cigarette smoke.

Therefore, stopping not only helps yourself — but also helps the people around you.

Also, if you live together or spend a lot of time with a smoker, this is a reason to try to help him stop.

How to prevent heart disease?

Diet and exercise are important factors in keeping blood flowing well and the heart remains healthy. However, if you are a smoker, a healthy diet and regular exercise are not enough to protect you from long-term effects, including heart disease.

If you are a smoker, you can take steps to control or prevent future heart disease by quitting smoking early.

Reducing the number of cigarettes you suck slowly can reduce the risk of heart problems.

Try to reduce the number of cigarettes every day, then determine the date of stopping. You will look better, feel better, and maybe even live longer.

If you are exposed to cigarette smoke regularly, you can reduce your risk of heart disease by avoiding an environment where other people are smoking.

Quitting smoking can reduce your risk by up to half the rate of recurrent heart attacks and deaths from heart disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Take the next step: improve your health to prolong life.

Read too :
How to Fix Heart Defects?
Symptoms of a Heart Attack Based on Age and Gender
Early Signs of Heart Disease in Men
Read More
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How to Fix Heart Defects?

March 03, 2019
Heart defects arise due to problems with the structure or heart arteries. You may be born with a defect called congenital, or a heart problem that can arise for life.

Surgery to repair heart defects plays an important role in relieving symptoms associated with heart disease, while waiting with anxiety and undergoing drug therapy is an improper choice.

Surgery for heart valve defects

how to fix heart defects
Heart valve surgery is needed when the valve becomes stiff and does not open fully or has a leak that causes blood to flow back into the heart.

Valve repair can be done through a small operation by making a small incision in the chest or through a minimally invasive procedure by making a small incision.

Minimum invasive valve repair can help reduce the risk of infection and bleeding and can speed up your recovery time.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, heart valve repair is a better choice than a valve replacement procedure because it can reduce the need for blood thinning drugs while you live and reduce the risk of infection.

Valve defects that can be repaired with operations include:

•        Weakness: improve the heart valve that hangs through triangular resection to make the valve stronger.
•        Stiffness: removes calcium deposits or separates valves which are fused through a commissurotomy procedure that allows the valve to return to normal.
•        Widened ring annulus: by tucking an object to tighten the base of the valve that will strengthen the valve.
•        Heart valve leaves are torn: patch valve leaves to eliminate the risk of leaky valves.
•        Heart valves that have previously been repaired and continue to experience damage may need to be replaced. The doctor will discuss options for valve replacement before surgery.

Surgery for septal defects

Septal defects are abnormalities in the septum, which is the barrier between two adjacent chambers of the heart.

Defects at the top are called atrial septal defects (ASD) and usually there are holes that make deoxygenated blood (moving away from the heart) and oxygen-rich blood (coming towards the heart) mixed.

Conditions like this that are left too long can cause cyanosis with symptoms that include extreme fatigue and congestive heart failure.

The inter-chamber opening of the heart is called ventricular septal defect (VSD).

Both types of disorders can be overcome by closed surgery or fillings through minimally invasive techniques along with the help of robotic devices. The hole in the septum will be sewn or repaired using tissue taken from the patient's body parts.

A procedure called small ASD or VSD repair is a minimally invasive option by making an incision of 1 to 3 inches between the ribs.

Although placement of a heart-lung device is required, the size of this small incision can reduce the risk of infection and blood loss and also minimize postoperative pain.

Surgery for stenosis

Stenosis is a term to describe the narrowing of the heart valve in heart disease. Narrowing of the heart valve will reduce the amount of blood to the heart. Lack of blood flow can cause various symptoms, such as:

•        Fatigue
•        Chest pain
•        Heart murmur or palpitations
•        Fainting
•        Difficulty breathing

Mitral or pulmonary stenosis — whether it is stenosis in the mitral or pulmonary valve — can be cured through a balloon valvotomy catheterization procedure.

A flexible thin tube is inserted into a blood vessel around the groin and directed towards the heart. When the catheter reaches the intended area, a small balloon will expand to expand the valve chamber.

After widening the valve opening, the balloon will collapse and the catheter will be removed.

The time to recover cardiac catheterization is not long and the possibility of the patient being allowed to go home in a matter of hours. The condition of the patient will often be monitored to ensure it is free from infection and excessive bleeding.

Following up on a meeting with a cardiologist is very important, regardless of the type of heart defect repair surgery that is being undertaken.

Taking care of yourself by managing weight, eating nutritious foods, and actively exercising every day can guarantee your heart health.

Referral cardiac rehabilitation may be needed to help you learn how to adapt to a new lifestyle.

Read too :
Symptoms of a Heart Attack Based on Age and Gender
Early Signs of Heart Disease in Men
Causes of Myocarditis, Heart Disease That Attacks Young People
Read More
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Symptoms of a Heart Attack Based on Age and Gender

March 03, 2019
Most people generally think that the main symptom of a heart attack is pain in the chest. But in the last few decades, scientists have found that the symptoms of a heart attack are unclear and can occur in several ways, depending on several factors such as: gender, type of heart attack, and age. It is important to understand variations in symptoms that indicate a heart attack, so that you can get the right help for yourself and the people you care about.

Early symptoms of a heart attack

symptoms of a heart attack in women
The earlier / faster you get help, the greater your chance to recover completely. Unfortunately, many people don't immediately seek help even though they suspect something has happened.

Some people may feel lazy to do the examination, because they think that the symptoms are mild only limited to heartburn or muscle pain.

Doctors strongly recommend seeking immediate help if you experience the initial symptoms of a heart attack.

Even though your guess is wrong, it's better to do a few tests than to experience long-term heart damage or other health problems, because you wait too long.

Symptoms of a heart attack vary by person. Trust yourself, because you know your body more than anyone else. If you feel something is wrong with your body, don't delay it. Check the doctor immediately.

According to the Society of Chest Pain Center, the initial symptoms of a heart attack occur in 50% of patients with a heart attack, and if symptoms are immediately realized, a heart attack can be avoided.

The initial symptoms of a heart attack can include:

•        Mild pain or discomfort in the chest, which comes and goes
•        Pain in the shoulders, neck and jaw
•        Nausea and vomiting, sweating
•        Dizziness, fainting
•        Feelings like something bad is going to happen
•        Restless or dazed
•        Hard to breathe

Symptoms of a heart attack in men

Research has proven that the risk of heart attack in men increases significantly after the age of 40 years.

The history of heart disease in families and other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and being overweight can increase risk.

Research has shown a heart reaction to heart attacks in men, and general symptoms, namely:

•        Chest pain, like an elephant occupying your chest; sensations can come and go, or be constant
•        Fast or irregular heartbeat
•        Hard to breathe
•        Dizziness, or feeling like you are going to faint
•        A cold sweat
•        Discomfort in the stomach, such as indigestion

Keep in mind that each heart attack is different and symptoms can differ from the description above.

Symptoms of a heart attack in women

In the last few decades, experts have only realized the symptoms of a heart attack in women different from men.

In a study published in the Journal Circulation of 515 women who had a heart attack, the symptoms reported did not include chest pain.

However, women reported unusual fatigue, sleep disorders, and anxiety, with almost 80% reporting at least 1 symptom more than 1 month before a heart attack. Other symptoms that are common in women, including:

•        Unusual fatigue for several days, or sudden severe fatigue
•        Anxiety and sleep disorders
•        Dizziness and / or shortness of breath
•        Indigestion
•        Pain in the upper back or shoulder, possible sore throat
•        Pain that spreads to the jaw
•        Pressure or pain in the center of the chest, which can spread to the arm

According to the American Heart Association survey in 2009, only half of women would ask for emergency help if they felt they had a heart attack.

Even if you feel unsure, go immediately to the emergency department. Take decisions based on what you feel normal and abnormal happens to you.

If you have never experienced symptoms like this before, seek help immediately. If you are unsure about the doctor's conclusions, check with another doctor.

Symptoms of a heart attack in women over 50 years

Women pass significant physical changes at age 50 due to menopause. During this time, estrogen levels decrease.

Estrogen is believed to protect heart health and after menopause, women have a higher risk of heart attack. It is important for women who have passed menopause to be aware of heart health.

Symptoms of a heart attack in women over 50 years are the same as other women in general, and can include symptoms experienced by men, such as serious chest pain, sweating, and irregular heartbeat.

Beware of symptoms and regular checks can maintain your health.

Symptoms of "silent heart attack"

Silent heart attacks are common heart attacks, but occur without symptoms. Patients often do not realize they have had a heart attack. Blood clotting reduces the supply of oxygen to certain parts of the heart, and some heart tissue dies, but for some reason there are no serious symptoms.

Sometimes also caused by nerves in the damaged heart.

This type of heart attack is more common in people with diabetes and who have had a previous heart attack, and may have been diagnosed during a routine examination.

According to research at Duke University Medical Center in 2009, an estimated 200,000 Americans have a heart attack without realizing it every year.

Unfortunately, this condition can damage the heart and increase the risk of heart attack in the future.

Mild symptoms that can indicate silent heart attack, namely:

•        Discomfort in the chest, arms, or jaw that is lost after resting
•        Shortness of breath and tiredness
•        Sleep disorders and increased fatigue
•        Abdominal pain or heartburn
•        Adherence to the skin

After a silent heart attack occurs, patients can feel more tired than before, or have difficulty exercising.

To maintain your heart health, do regular physical exercise, and if you have heart risk factors, consult a doctor and check the condition of your heart.

Read too :
Early Signs of Heart Disease in Men
Causes of Myocarditis, Heart Disease That Attacks Young People
Symptoms of Typical Heart Disease in Women
Read More
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