7 Signs In Your Hands That May Signal Heart Damage, As Per Expert

Would you be able to tell if something was wrong with your heart? The truth is, that not all heart issues come with obvious warning signs. It’s not always a dramatic chest pain followed by collapsing, like in the movies. Some heart-related symptoms might not involve the chest at all, making them easy to miss. 

Surprisingly, your hands can sometimes show subtle clues that your heart may be under strain. To understand this better, we spoke to Dr Sanjeev Chaudhary, Chairman of Cardiology at Marengo Asia Hospital, Gurugram, who shared more insights on the topic.

7 Signs in Your Hands That May Signal Heart Damage

Chest pain isn’t always the defining symptom of heart disease. In many cases, other subtle signs can act as early indicators. Dr Sanjeev Chaudhary shared with us some noticeable changes in the hands that could point to underlying heart issues:

• Swelling: Puffiness in the hands, fingers, or ankles could be due to fluid retention, which is often linked to heart failure.
• Bluish or Purplish Fingers/Toes: This discolouration may suggest poor circulation caused by narrowed blood vessels or a heart defect.
• Splinter Hemorrhages: These tiny red or brown streaks under the nails might signal endocarditis, a heart lining infection.
• Clubbing: Enlarged fingertips and nails that curve downward can be associated with low oxygen levels in the blood, possibly tied to heart or lung problems.
• Osler Nodes: Painful red or purple lumps on the fingers or toes may also point to a heart infection.
• Xanthelasma: Yellowish patches near the eyelids could be caused by high cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart disease.
• Terry’s Nails: When nails appear mostly white with a reddish or purplish band at the tip, it can be linked to heart disease or diabetes.

While none of these signs confirm heart disease on their own, they can act as early red flags that warrant further medical evaluation.

When To Call A Doctor?

If you notice any signs that could point to heart disease, don’t ignore them, reach out to your healthcare provider immediately. It’s important not to wait for the symptoms to pass or assume they’re harmless.

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Call your local emergency services right away if:

• You experience chest pain or any symptoms that could indicate a heart attack.
• You have angina and the chest pain doesn’t ease after 5 minutes of rest or after taking nitroglycerin.
• You suspect you're having a heart attack.
• You suddenly feel extremely short of breath.
• You believe you may have fainted or lost consciousness.

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Acting quickly can make a critical difference in preventing severe complications or saving a life.

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