Our bodies are actually great at communicating with us, as long as we know what to listen for. Warning signs frequently appear on the skin that may indicate problems with your heart.

Signs of Poor Blood Flow

When you have poor blood flow, it’s more difficult for your body to supply your extremities with oxygen and nutrients. This can be caused by a weakened cardiac muscle, a partial or complete blockage of an artery, or high blood pressure.

1. Swelling in the lower extremities

When the heart is weakened or struggling, blood flow slows down, and pressure builds up in the blood vessels. This increased pressure causes fluid to leak from the blood vessels into surrounding tissues, especially in the lower extremities, like the feet and ankles. This is called Peripheral Edema.

2. Blue or purple color to the extremities or in a net-like pattern

When you’re cold, your body draws blood away from the surface of your skin to help keep your core warm. But when your blood flow is compromised, the same thing can happen where your extremities or skin surface are not receiving enough blood flow or oxygen.

When your fingers or toes turn blue, that means they are not receiving enough oxygen, which is dangerous to your tissues because it can cause the tissue to die. If you’re not cold but your fingers or toes are blue, you should see a doctor.

In the case of the net-like pattern, this is also something our bodies do when we’re cold. If this pattern persists when you aren’t cold, it can indicate a blockage in an artery or a circulation problem.

3. Wounds on your extremities that won’t heal

When your circulation is compromised, your body can not deliver enough blood, oxygen, platelets, etc to wound sites. So if you have wounds on your lower legs or feet that aren’t improving like they should be, that can indicate that they’re not receiving enough blood in order to be able to be repaired. This can also be caused by untreated diabetes.

Signs of High Cholesterol

Your blood has two types of cholesterol in it, High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Normally, our blood should have a healthy balance of the two types. LDL cholesterol is the “bad” type of cholesterol that can build up on the inside of your arteries and cause blockages known as atherosclerosis.

4. Yellowish or waxy growths, especially near the eyes

Waxy pink bumps all over the body or contained to one area can indicate very high cholesterol levels. These bumps are actually triglyceride (a type of cholesterol) deposits on the surface of the skin. Seek medical treatment to lower your cholesterol if you see these bumps.

If you see waxy growths that are orange/yellow around your eyes (called Xanthelasma) or on your palms or lower legs (called Xanthoma), that is another indicator of high cholesterol. About half of patients that present with these type of growths have dangerously high cholesterol

5. An itchy rash on the face or inside the mouth

Another indicator of high cholesterol is an itchy purplish rash that can appear on the face or the inside of the mouth, called Lichen Planus. Lichen Planus is not caused by high cholesterol levels, but rather increases your risk of developing high cholesterol or stiffness in your arteries that compromises blood flow.

6. Psoriasis

A silvery-white rash with underlying pinkness, known as Psoriasis, can be an indicator of several different cardiac problems including high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol, or high blood sugar. Psoriasis is not caused by these problems because it is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder, but it carries a higher risk to your cardiovascular health.

This can also manifest as Psoriatic Arthritis, where you get both a Psoriasis rash and experience inflammation around your joints.

Signs of Heart Disease and Infection

7. Swelling of the tips of your fingers and downturned nails

When the tips of your fingers swell, it will eventually cause the appearance of downturned fingernails. This often indicates heart disease or an infection. This may also be accompanied by discoloration in some cases.

8. Brown or red discoloration on the soles of your feet

If you notice dark discoloration on the soles of your feet that is not itchy or painful, it can indicate an infection known as Endocarditis. This condition causes bacteria from the blood to build up between layers of skin. They can also occur on the palms of the hands in some cases.

9. Painful lumps on the fingers and toes

Another side effect of Endocarditis are painful, colorless lumps that form on the fingers and toes. These often go away on their own but that does not indicate that the infection has gone away. If these appear on you at any time you should still be treated for Endocarditis.

10. Red or purple lines under the nails

If you have red or purple lines under your nail beds that almost look like splinters, you may have heart disease. This can also occur when you damage your nail bed or hurt your finger, but if you haven’t experienced any direct trauma to your fingers, you should get it checked out. When it’s related to heart disease, it’s often accompanied by a fever and irregular or weak heart rate.

How to Support Your Cardiovascular Health

Taking care of yourself is a great way to take care of your heart too. Staying active, avoiding foods high in sodium, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, avoiding foods high in cholesterol, managing your stress, getting enough sleep, and regularly seeing a doctor will help you stay healthier and catch any heart problems before they get out of hand.

Heart Health Supplements

Supplements can contribute to a heart health strategy by providing necessary nutrients and mitigating free radical damage.

1. Healthy Heart by Priority One

This supplement blend from Priority One contains ingredients that support heart health by regulating blood pressure and heart rhythm with magnesium and potassium, while CoQ10 and alpha-lipoic acid provide antioxidant protection. Hawthorn, taurine, and L-carnitine improve circulation and heart function, and selenium and chromium support overall cardiovascular health.

2. Clinical OPC Heart by Terry Naturally

This supplement by Terry Naturally supports heart health by providing magnesium for blood pressure regulation and muscle function, while vitamin B6 aids in cardiovascular health and energy production. The proprietary complex including grape seed and pomegranate extracts offers powerful polyphenols and antioxidants to protect the heart from oxidative stress.

3. Heart Protector Capsules by Pure Synergy

This supplement by Pure Synergy supports heart health with hawthorn and grape seed extract to promote healthy blood pressure, while pomegranate and resveratrol provide antioxidants for cardiovascular protection. Olive fruit, turmeric, and hibiscus aid in circulation and cholesterol management, and nattokinase helps protect arteries and blood vessels by supporting healthy blood flow.

Conclusion

Your skin can offer valuable clues about your heart health, with different signs that can indicate problems like poor blood flow, high cholesterol, or potential heart disease. Paying attention to these signals and maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle-through regular exercise, a balanced diet, stress management, and appropriate supplementation-can help protect your cardiovascular system. Being proactive with your health can prevent heart problems from escalating and keep your heart functioning at its best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can heart disease cause a rash?

Yes, heart disease can cause certain rashes, like Lichen Planus, Psoriasis, and waxy yellow rashes, which are linked to cardiovascular issues such as high cholesterol or heart disease.

What skin condition can indicate rheumatic heart disease?

Psoriasis, a silvery-white rash, may indicate underlying heart conditions like rheumatic heart disease due to its association with cardiovascular inflammation.

Can heart disease cause blue skin?

Yes, heart disease can cause blue skin (cyanosis) when the extremities don’t receive enough oxygen due to poor circulation or a blockage.