Could Changes in Your Skin be a Sign of Heart Disease?

Cardiology | by Dr. Sabyasachi Pal | Published on 22/06/2022

If your heart is not working properly, it is quite likely to give rise to certain signs and symptoms which suggest that you need to see a doctor. While some of these signs are quite common, others can be difficult to perceive. It is due to this very reason that some people suffering from heart problems go undiagnosed for a long period of time. There are many symptoms that might seem bizarre but these can be connected to your heart health. You will be surprised to know that certain changes in the skin could also be a sign of heart disease. We have listed some of these changes in this blog, with the help of experts specializing in double valve replacement in Kolkata.

Swollen lower limbs - Swelling in the lower extremities is a sign that your heart is not functioning the way it should. While most people think that swelling in the feet and legs is usually due to an underlying musculoskeletal condition, this is not always the case. The swelling can also be triggered by excessive fluid accumulation in the lower limbs. This is commonly referred to as edema and is caused by the inability of the heart to circulate blood normally. Experts specialising in heart valve replacement suggest that the problem is usually seen in people with a defective valve. 

Cyanosis - What happens when you are exposed to extremely cold temperatures? Your fingers turn purplish or blueish. The same thing happens when you wear a tight rubber band on your wrist for too long. Have you ever wondered why this happens? The answer is very simple. The change in colour suggests that a particular part of the body is not getting enough oxygen. When your fingers and toes become bluish without any known reasons, it could be an indication that the blood supply to that part is hindered which might be the result of a blocked blood vessel.

Livedo reticularis - It is marked by the formation of a blueish or purplish pattern on the skin, that somewhat resembles a net. This is commonly experienced by people living in cold areas and the pattern vanishes as soon as the akin warms up. There are certain medicines that can also trigger the problem, however, there is nothing serious to worry about and you can continue taking such medicines as prescribed by your doctor. In some cases, the net-like pattern could be triggered by a disease called cholesterol embolization syndrome, which is quite likely to happen if your arteries are blocked.

Cholesterol deposits - We all know that cholesterol can accumulate within the body but have you ever seen the excess cholesterol build up under your skin and result in the formation of small waxy growths? Yes, it is possible. Excess cholesterol present in your body can start accumulating under your skin resulting in the development of yellowish-orange growths that can develop on your eyelids or any other part of the body. The former is referred to as Xanthelasma and the latter is known as xanthoma. High cholesterol levels can increase your susceptibility to serious heart. 

If you have been experiencing any of the above mention symptoms it is important to see a doctor immediately and get yourself evaluated. You can find the best heart hospital in Kolkata offering the finest diagnostic and treatment modalities. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can help to negate the risks of serious heart complications. So it is important that you do not take such symptoms lightly. It is also important to understand that these do not necessarily mean that you have a heart problem, so it is better to not reach any confusion without getting yourself examined.