What is Your Skin Trying to Tell You About the Condition of Your Heart?

Posted by: Tampa Cardio

On: June 22, 2020

rash heart disease tampa cardio

Heart health isn’t something many of us give a lot of thought to and certainly having a skin issue wouldn’t automatically signal that you could be having a heart issue. The truth is the signals of heart problems can be subtle and often are overlooked. Knowing the potential issues could save you or a loved one time wasted on suffering down the road.

Red or Purple lines in your nails: This is known as a splinter hemorrhage. If you wear acrylic or gel nails, you may miss cues found in the nail beds. Heart disease can show up as red or purple lines in your nails. This, of course, can come from an injury as well, but if you have not recently injured your fingers it is a cue you should consult your doctor or cardiologist.

Nails curve downward on the ends of your fingers which appear swollen: This is known as clubbing. This can signal a heart infection, lung infection, or heart disease. It is also possible your nails just happen to be shaped like this, but if they become this way over time it would be a good idea to get checked out.

Toe or Finger Lumps which are Painful: Known as Osler nodes. These indicate that you may have endocarditis, a heart infection. It may go away on its own over time or get worse and require antibiotics or even surgery.

Rashes that are not itchy combined with fever: This type of rash is a flat area with raised edges. If an accompanying fever develops, especially in childhood, it could be Rheumatic fever. It is the leading cause of lasting heart disease in children. Seek treatment as soon as possible.

Kawasaki Disease – a rash a fever with dry lips that may crack and bleed. While it may go away on its own in about two weeks it can lead to a lifetime of heart disease. Kawasaki disease usually happens in children ages 6 months to 5 years.

Smooth waxy bumps on the skin known as systemic amyloidosis nodules. They indicate a non-normal protein build up in an organ such as the heart. It can make it difficult for your heart to perform as it needs to.

Brown or red splotchy discoloration on your palms or feet bottoms: known as Janeway lesions. These are a sign of ineffective endocarditis. These spots, unlike ulcers, are painless. Though the spots will clear without treatment, the root infection does require medical intervention.

Purple or bluish skin. This indicates that you have a blockage or clot somewhere in your body. The cyanosis (blue color) is due to severe lack of oxygen. If you have a leg or arm that starts to turn blue go to the ER immediately. Blood clots are dangerous and can break free moving to the heart, lungs, or brain.

A bluish net like pattern appears on the skin when you are cold. This is known as embolization syndrome. It occurs when tiny arteries get blocked. Its important to have it diagnosed as it can lead to tissue damage. The pattern fades as your body warms up.

Other odd body changes can include:

A graying ring around the iris of your eye, your tongue swelling or turning bright red like you drank Koolaid, or other areas of discoloration of the skin.

If you notice these or other strange things happening on your body it is wise to consult your physician. Tampa Cardiovascular Associates can also be of service. We specialize in diagnosing heart disease and getting you the best treatment possible in order to ensure the best outcome. The sooner a condition is diagnosed the better the prognosis so don’t wait. Give us a call at 813-975-2800 or visit us online at www.tampacardio.com to learn more.

Posted by: Tampa Cardio

On: 22/06/2020

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