Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

Your Eyelids Can Predict A Future Heart Attack, Experts Reveal

Been noticing yellow deposits on your or your loved ones' eyelids? It may be a sign of a future <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/heart-attack">heart attack</a></span>, experts warn. 

<span>Xanthelasma</span> is a harmless, yellow growth that appears on or around the corners of your eyelids next to the nose. These lesions are often painless and can vary in size, sometimes merging to form larger patches. 

But while xanthelasma itself is not a disease, its development can signal elevated cholesterol levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis, which can lead to a heart attack in the future. 

According to Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist associated with <span>Apollo Hospital</span> in Hyderabad, xanthelasma patches can appear even when blood tests show normal cholesterol levels and should prompt 'a proper lipid evaluation, not just a cosmetic procedure'. 

In an X post, he noted: "These yellow patches on the eyelids are NOT just cosmetic. They are called xanthelasma and they can be your skin’s clue to hidden heart risk. These are: 

2. Can be present even when LDL cholesterol is normal

3. Strongly associated with atherosclerosis &amp; heart disease"

<strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/heart-cells-can-regrow-after-a-cardiac-arrest-scientists-say-article-153482982" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Heart Cells Can Regrow After A Cardiac Arrest, Scientists Say</a>

Heart attacks occur when blood flow to the heart is severely reduced or blocked due to a buildup of plaque which is made of fat, cholesterol and other substances in the heart's arteries.

During a heart attack, a lack of blood flow causes the cells and tissue in the heart muscle to die, leading to irreversible damage that can result in serious complications like arrhythmias, <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/heart-failure">heart failure</a></span>, cardiogenic shock, or cardiac arrest

It is one of the leading causes of death in the country. Four Indians experience a heart attack every minute, with one in four dying of the cause. Experts have also noticed a rising trend of nearly 50 percent of heart attack patients being under the age of 40, with half of all heart attacks in Indian men occurring under 50.

<h2>Who Is At The Highest Risk For Xanthelasma?</h2>You can develop xanthelasma on either eyelid between the ages of 20 and 70 but most people get it between the ages of 35 and 55.  Women and those who have a history of:  

<ul><li>Being Overweight.</li><li>A tobacco product habit.</li><li>High cholesterol.</li><li><span rel="noindex"><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">Diabetes</a></span>.</li><li>High blood pressure.</li><li>Family history of high cholesterol or xanthelasma are also at the highest risk of developing yellow plaques. </li></ul><h2>Can Xanthelasma Be A Sign Of Other Diseases?</h2>Yes, these yellow patches can also signal diabetes since both involve lipid (fat) metabolism disturbances, with high blood sugar and cholesterol often occurring together.

Additionally, it can also indicate thyroid issues such as hypothyroidism. Xanthelasma and hypothyroidism are linked as both thyroid dysfunction and high cholesterol/lipid levels, often seen with hypothyroidism, can cause the eyelid plaques.

<h2>Coronary Artery Disease: The Silent Killer</h2>

Coronary artery disease (<span>CAD</span>) is one of the most common illnesses that can cause a heart attack in people. It develops over the years and has no clear signs and symptoms apart from a heart attack.

The illness begins due to a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances known as plaque in and on the artery walls.

Over time, this can cause narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries and block the supply of oxygen-rich blood to heart which can lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and ultimately, heart attacks.

Typically, those above the age of 45, having a biological family member with heart disease, lack of sleep, smoking, consuming saturated fats along with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can increase the risk of developing CAD.

Nearly one in 10 Indian adults suffer from CAD and about two million people die from the disease annually. Apart from this, about 18 to 20 million American adults aged 20 and older are also affected about the disease.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

xanthelasma

apollo hospital

Heart Attack

Heart Failure

Diabetes

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Been noticing yellow deposits on your or your loved ones' eyelids? It may be a sign of a future heart attack, experts warn. Xanthelasma is a harmless, yellow growth that appears on or around the corners of your eyelids next to the nose. These lesions are often painless and can vary in size, sometimes merging to form larger patches. But while xanthelasma itself is not a disease, its development can signal elevated cholesterol levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis, which can lead to a heart attack in the future. According to Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist associated with Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad, xanthelasma patches can appear even when blood tests show normal cholesterol levels and should prompt 'a proper lipid evaluation, not just a cosmetic procedure'. In an X post, he noted: "These yellow patches on the eyelids are NOT just cosmetic. They are called xanthelasma and they can be your skin’s clue to hidden heart risk. These are: 1. Often linked to abnormal lipids2. Can be present even when LDL cholesterol is normal3. Strongly associated with atherosclerosis & heart disease"READ MORE: Heart Cells Can Regrow After A Cardiac Arrest, Scientists SayHeart attacks occur when blood flow to the heart is severely reduced or blocked due to a buildup of plaque which is made of fat, cholesterol and other substances in the heart's arteries.During a heart attack, a lack of blood flow causes the cells and tissue in the heart muscle to die, leading to irreversible damage that can result in serious complications like arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or cardiac arrestIt is one of the leading causes of death in the country. Four Indians experience a heart attack every minute, with one in four dying of the cause. Experts have also noticed a rising trend of nearly 50 percent of heart attack patients being under the age of 40, with half of all heart attacks in Indian men occurring under 50.Who Is At The Highest Risk For Xanthelasma?You can develop xanthelasma on either eyelid between the ages of 20 and 70 but most people get it between the ages of 35 and 55.  Women and those who have a history of:  Being Overweight.A tobacco product habit.High cholesterol.Diabetes.High blood pressure.Family history of high cholesterol or xanthelasma are also at the highest risk of developing yellow plaques. Can Xanthelasma Be A Sign Of Other Diseases?Yes, these yellow patches can also signal diabetes since both involve lipid (fat) metabolism disturbances, with high blood sugar and cholesterol often occurring together.Additionally, it can also indicate thyroid issues such as hypothyroidism. Xanthelasma and hypothyroidism are linked as both thyroid dysfunction and high cholesterol/lipid levels, often seen with hypothyroidism, can cause the eyelid plaques. Coronary Artery Disease: The Silent KillerCoronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common illnesses that can cause a heart attack in people. It develops over the years and has no clear signs and symptoms apart from a heart attack.The illness begins due to a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances known as plaque in and on the artery walls.Over time, this can cause narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries and block the supply of oxygen-rich blood to heart which can lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and ultimately, heart attacks.Typically, those above the age of 45, having a biological family member with heart disease, lack of sleep, smoking, consuming saturated fats along with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can increase the risk of developing CAD.Nearly one in 10 Indian adults suffer from CAD and about two million people die from the disease annually. Apart from this, about 18 to 20 million American adults aged 20 and older are also affected about the disease.