High blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking are considered major risk factors for several heart conditions, while lifestyle changes can also play an important role in reducing the risk.
Early diagnosis of heart disease can help prevent serious complications. Researchers have now identified a surprising physical sign that may be linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular problems and can appear around the eyes.
A study published in the journal Atherosclerosis found that a fatty, yellowish substance can appear near the skin at the inner corners of the eyes.
This condition is medically known as xanthelasma.
The study included nearly 18,000 people with xanthelasma. Their data was compared with that of people who did not have the condition.
The findings showed that people with xanthelasma had a two to three times higher risk of cardiovascular problems, including stroke and heart attack, compared with others.
The increased risk remained even after 10 years.
The fatty deposits may indicate high levels of cholesterol in the body, while high cholesterol is known to increase the risk of heart disease.
However, the researchers acknowledged that the study had certain limitations and said further research is needed to better understand the link.
