The human body is a unique and complex structure that is capable of giving different indications and symptoms about underlying health conditions. In fact, some signs of medical conditions can be discovered from unlikely places such as our nails.
Your nails can reveal a lot about your health, including the presence of heart disease. Here are some signs that you should look out for on your nails:.
1. Clubbing
Clubbing is a condition characterized by the overgrowth of connective tissue under the nail bed. This condition creates a rounded, bulbous shape on the tips of the fingers. Clubbing is strongly linked to heart or lung disease.
Patients with heart disease and clubbing usually have low oxygen levels in their blood, causing the body to produce more connective tissue.
2. Pale Nails
If your nails are pale, it could be an indication that your body lacks iron and other essential nutrients. The lack of good nutrition could cause your blood to circulate poorly, which can result in heart disease.
3. Splinter Hemorrhages
Splinter hemorrhages are thin red or brown lines that appear under the nails. They are usually a sign of physical trauma to the nails.
However, they can also be an indication of a nail bed condition caused by heart disease, an autoimmune disorder, or a blood disorder.
4. Blue Nails
Blue nails often indicate that a person has poor blood flow or limited oxygen in their system. When the cardiovascular system is compromised, it can lead to blue nails. Blue nails could also be an indication of low oxygen in your blood.
5. Spoon Nails
Spoon nails occur when the nails become concave or in the shape of a spoon. Spoon nails are usually an indication of poor nutrition, internal bleeding, anemia, or heart disease.
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6. Yellow Nails
Yellow nails are often a sign of a fungal infection. However, prolonged yellow nails could indicate that a person has heart disease or liver disease.
If the yellowing of your nails is accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue and nausea, see a doctor immediately.
7. White Nails
If your nails have a white color, it could be an indication of kidney or liver disease. However, white nails could also be caused by a protein deficiency or heart disease.
8. Nail Clubbing with Cyanosis
Cyanosis is a blue-purple discoloration of the skin that develops when there is reduced oxygen in the blood. If nail clubbing and cyanosis occur together, it usually means that a person has a serious heart or lung condition.
This requires immediate medical attention.
9. Beau’s Lines
Beau’s lines appear as horizontal ridges or lines across the nails. They occur when the body undergoes stress or injury, such as a heart attack.
Beau’s lines have also been associated with illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and some autoimmune disorders.
10. Onycholysis
Onycholysis occurs when the nail separates from the nail bed. The most common cause of onycholysis is trauma or infection. However, it can also be an indication of heart disease or thyroid disease.
If you notice any of the above symptoms on your nails, you should seek immediate medical attention. These signs could indicate a serious medical condition that needs urgent attention.
