Doctor reveals the simple thumb test that can show a 'ticking time bomb' heart problem
Dr Joe Whittington, an emergency medicine expert from California, said the hack, which involves stretching your thumb across the wrist, could indicate a high risk of suffering an aortic aneurysm.
This involves the aorta—the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body—bulging or swelling, risking a rupture.
Ruptures in the blood vessel are often fatal due to severe internal bleeding, unless treated rapidly with emergency surgery.
In a video on TikTok that has so far amassed over 230,000 views, Dr Whittington told his followers: 'Hold up your palm and try and stretch your thumb across as far as you can. Does it stop about there?
'Or does it extend pass your palm like these? If it does that is a positive thumb-palm test.'
If your thumb extends past your palm this could mean your connective tissues are 'very stretchy', he said, indicating that the same stretchiness applies to the tissues in the arteries, meaning a high chance of swelling or bulging.
He went on to detail a 2021 study, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, which found 60 per cent of people with known aortic aneurysms had a positive palm-thumb test.
@drjoe_md
Can your thumb predict a hidden heart problem? 🫣 The 'thumb-to-palm' test was linked to a higher risk of ascending aortic aneurysm in a Yale study, almost 60% of patients with aneurysms had a positive result. But before you panic, this doesn't mean you have one. It's just one potential sign of stretchy connective tissue, which could also mean a stretchy aorta. If your thumb crosses your palm, especially with a family history of heart issues or connective tissue disorders, talk to your doctor. Flexibility is great… just not in your arteries. 😅 #hearthealth #ehlersdanlossyndrome #connectivetissuedisorder #healthtips
♬ original sound - Dr. Joe, M.D. 🩺
The researchers gave the test to 305 patients underdoing cardiac surgery for a variety of disorders, including aortic aneurysms.
While the majority of aneurysm patients do not manifest a positive thumb-palm sign,, patients who did have a positive test had a high likelihood of harboring an aneurysm.
It's estimated that around 5,000 people in the UK die from aorta-related problems every year, with aneurysms and dissections being the leading causes.
While many aneurysms don't cause symptoms until they rupture, doctors may spot them during routine test and offer treatments to prevent damage such as blood pressure medication.
Those that do cause symptoms tend to trigger pain in the chest, neck, and/or back; swelling of the head, neck and arms; coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
But those with a positive palm-thumb test, 'should not freak out', said Dr Whittington.
'It's worth bringing it up with your doctor so they can diver deeper into any sort of connective tissue disorders.'
There are over 200 disorders that impact connective tissue, but there are different types.
These include genetic disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, autoimmune disorders such as lupus and cancers like some types of soft tissue sarcoma.
The three most common aortic-related connective tissue disorders are Marfan Syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Loeys-Dietz Syndrome.
In the UK, over 18,000 people are affected by Marfan syndrome, although it is believed to remain undiagnosed in many people.
Experts estimate nearly half of people who have the condition don't know it, so knowing the signs can save lives.
It can cause symptoms like heart palpitations, eye pain, shortness of breath and vision changes like astigmatism.
It can affect other parts of the body giving physical features like long and narrow face, limbs that seem too long for the rest of the body, and crowded teeth.
Those with this condition are at up to a 250 times greater risk of aortic dissection, a tear or rupture between layers of the aortic wall, than the general population.
EDS is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders affecting the skin, joints and blood vessels.
It is estimated there are anywhere between 135,000 and 300,000 people in the UK with the condition.
The most common type of EDS is hypermobile EDS (hEDS), which is thought to be underdiagnosed.
It is estimated that around 740 people in the UK have vEDS which is diagnosed on the basis of subtle signs in their physical appearance and their medical history.
Common features include a history of easy and significant bruising often from birth, varicose veins, lobeless ears and fine hear which may be thinning.
Others include unusually visible veins, thin nose and lips, prominent eyes, and premature aging of the skin on the hands and feet.
However, not everyone who has similar features which are common in the population will have vEDs.
It is estimated there are less than one in 100,000 people with Loeys-Dietz Syndrome in the UK.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
25 minutes ago
- Reuters
Boston Scientific lifts annual profit view on steady heart devices demand
July 23 (Reuters) - Boston Scientific (BSX.N), opens new tab raised its annual profit forecast on Wednesday, after strong demand for its heart devices helped the U.S. medical device maker beat second-quarter profit estimates. Shares of the Massachusetts-based company rose 2.3% in premarket trading following the results. A rise in surgical procedures has benefited medical device manufacturers such as Boston Scientific, as it boosted sales and helped offset broader concerns about healthcare spending pressures. Analysts said hospital utilization trends were robust during the second quarter, with hospital checks pointing to high single-digit volume growth - well above the historical average. Boston Scientific's main growth drivers, Farapulse and Watchman, which use short high-voltage pulses to treat certain abnormal heart rhythm conditions, saw strong demand during the quarter. Farapulse, approved in the U.S. to treat certain patients with intermittent atrial fibrillation, competes with Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ.N), opens new tab Varipulse and Medtronic's (MDT.N), opens new tab PulseSelect in the market for pulsed field ablation (PFA) systems. "Cardiovascular end-markets remain robust," Truist analyst Richard Newitter said ahead of the earnings, adding that Boston, followed by Medtronic, are in the best position at the moment to benefit from the growing and accelerating PFA market. Rival Johnson & Johnson last week posted strong medtech sales, aided by its heart devices, Varipulse and Trupulse. Boston Scientific expects 2025 adjusted profit of $2.95 to $2.99 per share, up from the prior view of $2.87 to $2.94 earlier. It posted adjusted profit of 75 cents per share for the second quarter, topping analysts' average estimate of 72 cents, according to data compiled by LSEG. The company's cardiovascular unit reported quarterly sales of $3.34 billion, surpassing estimates of $3.20 billion. Revenue came in at $5.06 billion for the quarter, topping estimates of $4.9 billion.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Five free, easy ways to fight chronic inflammation
A growing number of products and routines – such as red light masks and de-puffing regimens – claim to fight the signs of inflammation. Many nutritional methods have proven to help chronic inflammation, too – such as eating a vegetable-heavy Mediterranean diet or more whole grains and omega-3-rich fish. But cost and access issues can get in the way of these solutions. Plus, they may not address a major root cause, as increasing evidence says chronic stress can induce chronic inflammation. To prevent and manage chronic stress, more health professionals are offering 'social prescriptions', or referrals to non-medical, community-based, de-stressing activities. Often, these activities are free or the costs are covered by another party, like an insurer or local non-profit. Dr Alan Siegel, executive director of non-profit Social Prescribing USA and a family physician at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, has prescribed community walks, painting classes and museum visits to his patients for over two decades. 'Whether somebody walks into my office with type 2 diabetes or depression, I've seen how social prescriptions can help patients truly heal and adopt healthier lifestyles in the long-term.' More than 30 countries and a dozen US states have social prescribing programs, which have led to improved health and reduced pressure on healthcare. But even without a doctor's note or a thick wallet, anyone can engage in these scientifically backed anti-inflammatory activities. Inflammation – the body's evolutionary response to infection, injury, or other threats – has been a trending topic in the health world. Some scientists have even called inflammation 'the cause of all diseases'. But what actually causes inflammation, and what fights it? In some contexts, inflammation is good. When the body faces an acute threat – say, an ear infection or a sprained ankle – it responds with acute inflammation, an immune system process marked by fever, swelling and pain in the affected area. But in the face of chronic threats – say, from trauma or job stress – acute inflammation can also become chronic, and the immune, stress and cardiometabolic responses can become dysregulated. Research links chronic inflammation with low mood, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular risks and a range of mental health conditions including depression and dementia. Forest-bathing – engaging in natural environments with all five senses – is a known wellbeing booster. But according to Dr Qing Li, professor of clinical medicine at Nippon Medical school in Tokyo, forest bathing can also help support healthy functioning of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, a key player in controlling the stress and inflammation response. 'Forest environments can promote relaxation and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the 'rest and digest' functions,' says Dr Li. It can also reduce activity in the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the 'fight or flight' responses. By helping to prevent and manage stress, forest bathing can also help prevent and manage chronic inflammation. A series of Li's studies show that forest bathing can reduce the stress hormones cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. Other research similarly finds time in nature can reduce physiological markers of stress, like cortisol, and the perception of stress. One study found just 20 minutes of nature per day can make a difference in stress levels. Art can also promote relief from chronic stress. In one study, healthy adults who participated in a 45-minute art-making session saw significantly lower levels of cortisol afterward. Feelings of stress are related to a loss of control, says Dr Girija Kaimal, professor of creative arts therapies at Drexel University, who co-authored the study. Creating art helps us feel like 'there's something we have a sense of agency over' and 'lets us take charge of the distress'. The study's participants self-reported that they found art-making relaxing, enjoyable, 'freeing from constraints', and conducive to flow and self-discovery. 'Distraction is a great initial coping mechanism to help us calm down after a stressful event, but art can help us dig deeper – it helps us pay attention to what distressed us, and it'll help the next time something similar sets us off,' says Kaimal. It's important to create 'the kind of art that speaks to you,' says Kaimal – whether it's writing, dancing, or drawing – and skill level doesn't matter. 'You want to get into a judgment-free zone where you can play and have fun without consequences.' A growing body of research suggests experiencing art, not just creating it, can also promote inflammation reduction. Some research has found listening to music, for instance, can reduce blood pressure and cortisol. Researchers at the University of Florida have been documenting the health benefits of engaging with the arts, with some studies suggesting just one to three hours of related activity per week can reduce risk of depression and cognitive decline. Sign up to Well Actually Practical advice, expert insights and answers to your questions about how to live a good life after newsletter promotion Beyond reducing stress, exercise is linked to a number of other anti-inflammatory benefits. This makes sense from an evolutionary perspective because bodily movement was often linked with fighting a predator or fighting for our lives, says Dr Michael Gleeson, emeritus professor of exercise biochemistry at Loughborough University. 'The body puts its survival first,' and temporarily inhibits the inflammatory response so it can use energy more efficiently, he says. In his co-authored research, Gleeson suggests exercise not only induces an anti-inflammatory environment in the short-term, but may also reduce visceral fat mass in the long-term. The accumulation of visceral fat can drive and worsen chronic inflammation by promoting development of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis and other diseases linked to physical inactivity. Other research finds that exercise can significantly reduce production of pro-inflammatory proteins, such as CRP and IL-6, and increase anti-inflammatory proteins, such as IL-10. To reap these and other benefits, the World Health Organization recommends adults spend at least 150 minutes each week on moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking and cycling, or 75 minutes on vigorous activity, such as running, Zumba or sports. A longitudinal study finds sports involving social interaction – such as tennis, badminton and soccer – are best at promoting health and longevity. Because cooperation with others has historically been essential for survival, our bodies have evolved to respond to the absence of social connections. The late neuroscientist Dr John Cacioppo compares this evolutionary response to hunger. Just as hunger signals the absence of energy and nutrients and cues the body to find food, loneliness signals the absence of social connections, and cues us to seek out or repair relationships. That's why multiple studies link feelings of loneliness and social isolation to a range of stress responses, including increased pro-inflammatory proteins and dysregulated cortisol function. Conversely, studies link high levels of social support to lower cortisol, and link social activities like volunteering and giving social support to lower pro-inflammatory proteins. Within all of these activities, the experience of awe – a feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends our current understanding of the world – can also reduce inflammation. Dr Jennifer Stellar, a professor of psychology at University of Toronto, co-authored a study that links awe to greater positive affect and lower inflammatory proteins. Further research is underway but Stellar suggests 'that positive emotions can undo the effects of negative emotions, and negative emotions are associated with inflammation'. Another reason is that 'awe makes us feel connected to others, and social connection has been documented to act as a buffer against inflammatory responses.' So how can you encounter awe? Her co-author, Dr Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at University of Berkeley California and renowned awe expert, says that it can result from engagement with the 'eight wonders of life': the moral beauty of others, nature, collective movement, music, visual design, spirituality and religion, big ideas, and the cycle of life and death. Julia Hotz is a solutions-focused journalist and award-winning author of The Connection Cure
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
I'm begging strangers on the internet to PayPal me £2k after I lost my middle teeth – trolls tell me to ‘get a job'
A MUM has taken to TikTok to beg strangers on the internet to fund £2k for her new smile. 28-year-old Tyler Davison, unfortunately, lost two of her bottom row teeth due to gum disease which is caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth. 2 It wasn't until March that the mother finally managed to get an appointment with a dentist - but sadly, it was too late to fix anything. During her visit, Tyler was diagnosed with perio - a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. It can be a result of poor hygiene, but some people are more prone to this type of infection. Symptoms may include bad breath, loose teeth and bleeding, swollen gums. There are many treatments available, depending on the severity of disease. ''I made the choice to get my teeth removed,'' Tyler bravely opened up in the video, where she also educated others on the gum disease. ''I could've had a root canal. But one, it could have failed, and two, it would've only lasted a year and I'd still be in this position. ''I probably would've risked losing more of my teeth,'' said Tyler who posts under the username @ tylller_. Now, she wears partial dentures - however, this is not something the mum wants to use forever. ''I do want to go for something more permanent, like a bridge, because it's very uncomfortable, I'm really young still. ''I can't eat with it, I can't speak properly with or without it - and who wants to live like this?'' said Tyler who claimed her gums have ''fully receded''. Desperate to fix her smile, the young mum has now taken to TikTok to ask strangers online to chip in for the teeth transformation. Tyler said in a recent video: ''I just realised that if 2,000 all PayPal me £1 I can get my smile back.'' The clip has since taken the internet by storm, winning Tyler over 780k views in just two days. However, whilst the donations are currently sitting at £107.50, not everyone has been so compassionate. One troll wondered: ''Whatever happened to working?'' Another revealed they also wouldn't be chipping in. ''Sorry gotta use my £1 to buy a 4 pack of doughnuts from Tesco.'' maternity leave ''.
