📊 The Science:
One meta-analysis found that people with Frank’s sign have a 2–3x higher risk of heart disease — especially if other risk factors are present (high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes).
💡 Note: Not everyone with the crease has heart disease… but if you have it and other risks, it’s time to get checked.
🔍 2. Yellowish Bumps Around the Eyes (Xanthelasma) 👁️🟡
These soft, yellowish patches near the inner corners of the eyes aren’t just cosmetic — they’re often a sign of dangerously high cholesterol.
Called xanthelasma, these deposits are made of fat — particularly LDL (“bad”) cholesterol — building up under the skin.
Why It Matters:
Strongly associated with hyperlipidemia (high blood fats)
People with xanthelasma are at higher risk for heart attack and stroke
Can appear even in otherwise healthy-looking individuals
✅ Action Step: Get a lipid panel blood test — this could reveal hidden cardiovascular risk.
🔍 3. Swollen Legs & Ankles (Edema) 💧🦶
Puffiness in the feet, ankles, or legs — especially at the end of the day — might seem like a minor annoyance.
But when caused by fluid buildup (peripheral edema), it can signal that your heart isn’t pumping effectively.
What’s Happening:
A weak heart pumps less blood → fluid backs up into tissues
Gravity pulls fluid down into lower limbs
Often worse after standing/sitting for long periods
🚨 Other possible causes: Kidney disease, liver problems, venous insufficiency — but heart failure is a major concern.
❗ If swelling is sudden, painful, or only on one side — rule out blood clots immediately.
🔍 4. Shortness of Breath During Everyday Activities 🌬️🪑
Gasping while climbing stairs? Needing to stop halfway up to catch your breath?
This isn’t “just getting older.”
It could mean your heart can’t deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to meet demand.
Red Flags Include:
Getting winded walking short distances
Waking up breathless at night (need extra pillows?)
Coughing or wheezing with congestion (fluid in lungs)
This symptom is often dismissed — but it’s one of the earliest signs of heart failure.
🔍 5. Calf Pain While Walking (Claudication) 🚶♂️🦵
If your calf muscles cramp or ache when walking — and feel better after resting — you may have peripheral artery disease (PAD).
PAD happens when arteries in the legs become narrowed by plaque — the same process that causes heart attacks.
The Connection:
Plaque buildup in leg arteries = plaque likely in heart arteries too
People with PAD are 2–6x more likely to die from heart disease or stroke
✅ This isn’t “normal aging” — it’s vascular disease knocking at two doors.
❤️ Final Thought: Your Body Speaks — Are You Listening?
Your heart won’t send you a text saying “I’m struggling.”
Instead, it leaves clues — in your ears, eyes, legs, and breath.
And while none of these signs alone confirms heart disease, when combined with risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or family history, they should never be ignored.
✅ What You Should Do Now:
See your doctor for a heart health screening
Request:
Cholesterol panel
Blood pressure check
EKG or stress test if symptoms exist
Control known risks: quit smoking, manage weight, exercise, eat clean
Because preventing heart disease starts long before the first chest pain.
It starts with paying attention.
And that decision could save your life.