Heart attack symptoms – how your EARS could predict risk of disease

The condition can be a silent killer, however now experts have found an unusual way of finding if someone is at risk of the condition.

Experts from China have found the presence of diagonal earlobe creases could be linked to increase risk of coronary artery disease.

They found patients with diagonal earlobe creases – called DELCs – on both sides had significantly higher prevalence of coronary artery stenosis.

The diagonal earlobe crease (DELC) is the fold or crease in the skin of the earlobe. It is also known as Frank’s sign.

A study published in the BMJ followed more than 500 adult patients who have had a scan for suspected artery disease.

The participants – aged between 36 and 91 – had an average age of 63 years.

Their ears were all examined and experts also took into account other risk factors for heart disease.

The team found those with earlobe creases on both sides were at increased risk of coronary heart disease than those with creases on just one side.

However people with just one creased earlobe were found to be at greater risk than those with non-creased ears.

The authors of the study said: “In the present study, bilateral DELCs were more frequently among male, older people and those with more severe coronary artery atherosclerosis.”

They concluded: “The results of the present study indicated that DELCs are a simple and a feasible means of identifying CHD.

“However, the exact mechanism underlying the relationship between DELCs and CHD warrants further study.”

Experts said the presence of DELC were significantly associated with coronary artery disease independent of traditional cardiac risk factors.

However, they admitted more research into the topic is needed.

The researchers took cigarette smoking – which is linked to increased risk of heart disease, blood pressure measurements and cholesterol into consideration.

High cholesterol and high blood pressure are also linked to increased risk of heart disease and heart attacks.

Experts have previously suggested the condition could be linked to impaired circulation.

However, others have also suggested the creases could also be caused by other factors, including genetics.

A heart attack is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot.

Coronary artery disease is a blockage or narrowing – stenosis – of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, often due to a buildup of fatty plaque inside the arteries. A severe enough blockage may cause a heart attack.

The study was entitled relationship between diagonal earlobe creases and coronary artery disease as determined via angiography.