When you think of heart disease, you probably think of high cholesterol and obesity. But a simple observation on one’s body could tell whether heart trouble is looming.
A crease on your ear may be a signal of coronary artery disease. At the very least, it could be a sign you need to see a doctor.
University of Nebraska Medical Center cardiologist Scott Shurmur said the theory linking ear creases with heart disease has been around for decades.
“A strong association with coronary artery disease, otherwise, risk of heart attacks,” Shurmur said.
The creases run from the opening of the ear down to the bottom of the ear, at about a 45-degree angle.
There’s been a lot of research both trying to prove and disprove the theory. For example, as people get older, bodies naturally develop wrinkles and chances for heart disease increase with age. But does one automatically equate to the other?
“If you have earlobe creases, it may or may not mean anything,” Shurmur said. “Maybe 60 percent of individuals with earlobe creases would have heart disease, which is not too different from that of the overall population.”
Shurmur said ear creases don’t necessarily mean heart disease, just like the absence of creases doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.
The best advice: follow a heart healthy diet, get active, avoid smoking and see your doctor regularly.
“There are plenty of things we can control, even if one has earlobe creases,” Shurmur said. “So even if they’re present, they’re probably not the riding factor in one’s risk of heart disease.”
KETV NewsWatch 7 found more than 60 studies looking for a possible link between earlobe creases and heart disease. Some did find an association, but others found the creases appear as individuals get older – as it may be the age that links creases to heart trouble.
All studies agree that people who notice creases in their earlobes should see a doctor get a heart checkup.
Learn more about risk factors: www.cdc.gov/HeartDisease/risk_factors.htm