In the UK, cardiovascular disease accounts for around a quarter of all deaths every year. This includes conditions and diseases such as coronary heart disease, heart failure and strokes.
And according to the British Heart Foundation, around 7.6 million people in the UK are currently living with the condition, with this number expected to rise.
If not caught early and treated, cardiovascular disease can prove fatal. Therefore, spotting any warning signs is vital.
Many of us are aware of some of the more common signs of heart disease that can occur. Chest pain, shortness of breath and heart palpitations should all alert us to the fact that something is wrong.
However, there are some less well-known signs that can appear in places you would not expect. Dr Rohan Nagar, an Ayurveda consultant and wellness coach, spoke exclusively with Express.co.uk to explain more.
“The heart is the headquarter of the body and achieving a healthy heart is the final goal to achieve a healthy and long life,” he said.
“Heart diseases are some of the leading causes of death at present.
“The effect of stress and anxiety caused by elements such as the pandemic, in combination with poor lifestyle habits such as excessive drinking, smoking and eating unhealthy foods, has put several people at risk for heart diseases.”
According to Dr Nagar there are four signs of heart disease that can be spotted on the face – more specifically, in and around the eyes.
These are:
- Dark circles under your eyes.
- Sudden vision changes.
- Small, yellowish bumps around the eyes.
- Pupils that widen and constrict with the heartbeat.
He explained: “Heart problems can affect your eyes and have links to an increased risk of developing some eye diseases.
“Cardiovascular disease is a term used for conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels all around the body, including the delicate blood vessels in the eye that supply blood to the retina at the back of the eye.
“These eye changes may be picked up in an eye exam and can be a warning sign of underlying heart disease.”
If you experience “sudden” vision changes you should seek medical advice, he said.
Dr Nagar continued: “Sudden vision changes such as blurriness, dark areas, or shadows could be a blockage in an eye blood vessel, which can foreshadow a more serious stroke in the brain.
“And growing evidence hints that subtle, early damage to tiny blood vessels in the eyes may predict cardiovascular disease.
“Other unusual eye changes also can be clues to possible heart problems, such as small, yellowish bumps around the eyes, or pupils that widen and constrict with the heartbeat.”
These yellow bumps can be found on or around their eyelids, most commonly near the nose and are called xanthelasmas.
“These small growths aren’t painful and rarely affect vision, but they can be a sign of high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or other fats (lipids) in the blood,” he said.
“They’re somewhat more prevalent in women than men. People who have them should be sure to get a cholesterol test, also known as lipid test or lipid profile.”
Dr Nagar listed other signs of heart problems as:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing or wheezing
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
- Poor blood supply to extremities
- Fatigue
- Fast or uneven heartbeat (palpitations).
He also warned that the following can raise your risk for heart issues:
If you spot any symptoms of heart problems you should speak to your GP.