Certain random indications can often be a sign of a much bigger problem. A small distinction in a person’s earlobe can really be a sign that they are at risk for dangerous cardiac issues. Frank’s sign is the medical name for having a certain ear characteristic that has been related to patients with cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis.
What is Frank’s sign?
It is named after Dr. Sanders T. Frank. He was a pulmonologist who first noticed the characteristic. Frank’s sign is a diagonal crease that runs from tragus to the back edge of the ear lobe. It is natural for the ears to sag or wrinkle as a person ages, especially if a person has an ear piercing, yet Frank’s sign is always a deep line that runs diagonally from the front and top of the fleshy earlobe to the back and bottom of the lobe. Dr. Frank became aware of that patients who had this diagonal earlobe crease were very likely to later develop heart disease.
What can happen if you have an earlobe crease?
If you have an earlobe crease, then you are at risk for developing heart disease. According to several studies it is shown that there is a connection between the two conditions. In both 2006 and 2012, people who did not have any sort of indications of coronary artery disease were studied. These studies demonstrated that roughly 80% of subjects with Frank’s sign were in the early stages of coronary artery disease, which is usually unnoticeable. In 1989there was a study in the British Heart Journal that studied the subjects who had died because of cardiovascular disease. 72% of the people who had died because of heart disease had an earlobe crease.
What is the link between an earlobe crease and heart disease?
Many theories exist that explain why this relation between heart disease and an earlobe crease exists. Earlobe creases might be a genetic trait. Because heart and artery disease is likewise hereditary, it may just be that a person’s ancestors can pass on both Frank’s sign and cardiovascular problems. Elastic tissue and small blood vessels around the earlobes degenerating are the reasons for an earlobe crease. Therefore, it could be an early symptom for the blood vessel degeneration that is associated with heart problems.
What should you do if you have Frank’s sign?
If you notice that you have developed an earlobe crease, you should tell it to your doctor. A lot of studies have demonstrated that there is a connection between heart disease and earlobe creases, so it could be potentially life-saving to begin monitoring your heart health. Early detection is important to managing heart problems before they get worse. In the event that you have Frank’s sign, maintaining low cholesterol and blood pressure levels can help to make sure that your heart remains healthy, although you might have a higher risk for heart and artery diseases.
Source: http://positivemed.com/
