The lack of warning signals of a heart attack makes it a highly dreaded medical emergency. Certain physiological changes, however, may emerge years before an event, according to researchers.

For example, nail clubbing may be a lesser-known risk factor.

Nails vary in shape and size, but remarkable changes in their appearance may indicate that the body is getting ill. “Common nail problems include brittle, loose nails that may change color or shape,” according to the National health agency, which are frequently suggestive of nutritional inadequacies. When the nails become clubbed, though, it could be a sign that something is wrong with the heart.

Although appearances are bound to vary throughout time, some physical changes can signal the presence of a disease.

According to the Magnolia Regional Health Centre, “Ripples on nails or pitted nails may be caused by a skin disorder, psoriasis, eczema, or arthritis.

“Nail clubbing is when a nail curves under at the tips of the finger.

“It could indicate heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lung disease, liver, disease, thyroid or HIV/AIDS.

“Puffy redness near the cuties can indicate inflammation, a bacteria or yeast infection, Lupus, or another connective tissue disease.”

The main cause of heart attack is cardiac disease, which happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart is disturbed.

A sense of tightness or pressure in the chest, as well as shortness of breath, are common symptoms.

Clubbing is a sign that can appear in the nails on rare occasions.

According to Mayo Clinic, nail clubbing “occurs when the times of the fingers enlarge and the nails curve around the fingertips, usually over the course of years”.

“Nail clubbing is sometimes the result of low oxygen in the blood and could be a sign of various types of lung disease.”

As heart disease progresses, the organ is exposed to decreased levels of oxygen in the blood for an extended period of time.

Hypoxia can result from this disruption in oxygen exchange, which drives an increase in the number of small blood vessels known as capillaries.

While there are various pathways linked to clubbed fingers, further research is needed to identify how they contribute to the development of heart disease.

Image Credit: Getty

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