Even though cancer is catching up, the Number 1 cause of premature death is still heart attack and stroke. Fortunately, this is largely preventable by making meaningful changes in diet and lifestyle. Don’t wait until a heart attack or stroke happens as it could be fatal. Here are 5 warning signs of silent, but deadly cardiovascular disease.
1. Erectile dysfunction: Men have an innate warning system called ED (erectile dysfunction). Before a heart attack occurs, arteries in the penis often clog first, making it difficult to maintain an erection. If you are having problems with sexual performance, before popping the blue pill, have your doctors rule out heart disease
2. Balding: Severe baldness at the crown of the head accurately predicted the existence of cardiovascular disease according to a comprehensive study of nearly 37,000 people. Moderate baldness increased the risk of dying from heart disease in both genders in a separate study of more than 7,000 people (including more than 4,000 women).
3. Gray hair: A new European study found that having abundant gray hair is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. This study of 545 adult men having 50% of more gray hair were found to have symptomless blockages in the coronary arteries, as confirmed by a CT angiogram. This is because of the similar biological pathways that result in arteriosclerosis and hair graying.
4. Earlobe creases: The association between earlobe creases and coronary artery disease captured attention when a study by Dr. William Elliott was published in The American Journal of Medicine over 30 years ago. The results of his study indicated that 95% of people with risk factors for coronary artery disease also had diagonally creased earlobes. The earlobe is richly vascularized, and a decrease in blood flow over an extended period of time is believed to result in a collapse of the vascular bed. This can then lead to a diagonal crease.
5. Calf pain when walking: This is called claudication. Before heart disease is diagnosed, atherosclerosis can block leg arteries, especially in smokers. This symptom requires immediate attention.
Comments from Dr. Thomas: Diagnosis of heart disease as early as possible is critical because there are dietary and lifestyle interventions that can help to reverse the problem. Anyone with any of the above warning signs should see their doctor for a full evaluation, including comprehensive bloodwork such as this: Click here.
