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A meta-analysis found that people with Frank’s sign have a 2 to 3 times higher risk of developing heart disease – especially if they have other risk factors (high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes).
💡 Note: Not everyone with this crease has heart disease… but if you have it or are at risk, it’s time for an examination.
🔍 2. Yellowish nodules around the eyes (xanthelasma) 👁️🟡
These soft, yellowish spots near the inner corners of the eyes are not just a matter of appearance – they are often a sign of dangerously high cholesterol levels.
These deposits, known as xanthelasma, consist of fat – primarily bad LDL cholesterol – that accumulates under the skin.
Why this is important:
It is closely related to hyperlipidemia (elevated blood lipid levels).
People with xanthelasma have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
It can even occur in people who appear healthy.
✅ Recommended action: Have a blood test to determine your blood lipid levels – this can reveal hidden cardiovascular risks.
🔍 3. Swelling of the legs and ankles (edema) 💧🦶
Swelling in the feet, ankles or legs – especially at the end of the day – may seem like a minor inconvenience.
However, if the cause is fluid accumulation (peripheral edema), this may mean that the heart is not pumping blood efficiently.
What’s up:
A weak heart pumps less blood → fluid flows back into the tissue.
Gravity causes the fluid to flow into the lower extremities.
Symptoms often worsen after prolonged standing/sitting.
🚨 Other possible causes: kidney disease, liver problems, venous insufficiency – but heart failure is a serious problem.
❗ If the swelling occurs suddenly, is painful, or only occurs on one side, the possibility of blood clots should be ruled out immediately.
🔍 4. Shortness of breath during everyday activities 🌬️🪑
Do you get out of breath when climbing stairs? Do you have to stop halfway up to catch your breath?
It’s not just about “getting older”.
This could mean that the heart cannot supply enough oxygen-rich blood to meet the demand.
Warning signs include:
Shortness of breath when walking short distances
I wake up breathless at night (do I need extra pillows?).
Coughing or wheezing with fluid accumulation in the lungs
This symptom is often ignored, but it is one of the earliest signs of heart failure.
🔍 5. Calf pain when walking (intermittent claudication) 🚶♂️🦵
If you experience cramps or pain in your calf muscles when walking and feel better after a rest, you may be suffering from peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) develops when the arteries in the legs become narrowed by deposits – the same process that causes heart attacks.
Connection:
Plaque formation in the leg arteries = probability of plaque formation also in the coronary arteries
People with PAD have a 2 to 6 times higher risk of dying from heart disease or stroke.
✅ This is not “normal aging” – this is a vascular disease that knocks on two doors at once.
❤️ Final thought: Your body speaks – are you listening?
Your heart doesn’t send you a text message saying, “I have problems.”
Instead, it leaves traces – in your ears, eyes, legs, and breath.
Although none of these symptoms alone indicates heart disease, they should never be ignored when combined with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.
✅ What you should do now:
Consult your doctor about getting a heart screening test.
Application:
Cholesterol profile
Blood pressure measurement
ECG or stress test if symptoms are present
Control known risks: Quit smoking, watch your weight, exercise, eat a healthy diet.
Because preventing heart disease begins long before the first chest pains occur.
It all starts with attention.
And this decision could save your life.
