Folks,

I am a 45 year old man, 188 lbs, in generally good health and physical condition. Eat healthy, do extensive cardio every day, take supplements. Cholesterol total 190, LDL 122, HDL 52, Triglycerides 95. BP around 124/74 average.

During last couple months the infamous diagnol earlobe crease has appeared on my right earlobe. It is not deep, but it is visible up close. It also seems more pronounced when I wake up, and less so by the end of the day.

Anyway I am freaking out over this given all the stuff I've read about this being a harbinger of sudden cardiac death if it appears before the age of 60. In February I had a cardiolite stress test that showed "normal," ejection fraction of 70, no left ventricle problems, etc.

My doctor laughed when I mentioned this. A friend's doctor told him to tell me I have about 5 years left!!! I doubt I can get a doctor to approve an angiogram based on this, but I am worried I am a ticking time bomb now.

acp

that's only if the crease is diagonal.. the risk only rises 55%, therefore with the way you are taking care of yourself, you are AOK.

acp,

I read about the creases, and lo and behold I found TWO deep diagonal creases. This was my last straw and after years of clasic angina symptoms even after a good stress test result (but not nuclear) I demanded a catheter angiogram and found out my RCA was completely blocked.
After my stent the crease in my RIGHT ear disappeared.

Let the doctors laugh all they wish, there's something TO this correlation.

At least YOUR cholesterol numbers are far better than mine before the Lipitor: TC 265, HDL 28 for a risk ratio of 9.5!:dizzy: :dizzy:

DON'T have an angiogram without symptoms...the risk/benefit ratio is too big and the out-of-pocket cost is too high without insurance coverage (You're right- they WON'T coverr it).
Keep up the hard cardio work and keep an eye on your cholesterol... make sure it stays at least as good as it is now. You might be wise to make the assumption that you HAVE heart disease and push the LDL's down below the 100 level to stop plaque buildup in its tracks.

The cardiolite stress test normalcy is VERY good news...

If 10 years from now you start developing some angina, then maybe the time will be ripe for an angiogram.

acp,

I read about the creases, and lo and behold I found TWO deep diagonal creases. This was my last straw and after years of clasic angina symptoms even after a good stress test result (but not nuclear) I demanded a catheter angiogram and found out my RCA was completely blocked.
After my stent the crease in my RIGHT ear disappeared.

Let the doctors laugh all they wish, there's something TO this correlation.

At least YOUR cholesterol numbers are far better than mine before the Lipitor: TC 265, HDL 28 for a risk ratio of 9.5!:dizzy: :dizzy:

DON'T have an angiogram without symptoms...the risk/benefit ratio is too big and the out-of-pocket cost is too high without insurance coverage (You're right- they WON'T coverr it).
Keep up the hard cardio work and keep an eye on your cholesterol... make sure it stays at least as good as it is now. You might be wise to make the assumption that you HAVE heart disease and push the LDL's down below the 100 level to stop plaque buildup in its tracks.

The cardiolite stress test normalcy is VERY good news...

If 10 years from now you start developing some angina, then maybe the time will be ripe for an angiogram.


Thanks much for the input. No angina symptoms yet, knock wood. I typically get my heart rate up to 166 when doing daily cardio, and not even mild discomfort.

The crease is actually more of a faint X as there is an even fainter line running horizontal right across it! I'm a little superstitious so I am sure this means bad news!

The cholesterol reading was from summer of 2006...am waiting results on new test from 2 weeks ago (guessing that if numbers were high doc would have called). If they are high, that will certainly feed the earlobe crease connection.

Family history is mixed; dad is 79 and heart disease free, healthy as a horse. Mom died at 68 of a heart attack...had smoked until 60, was overweight, and had high cholesterol, and very high stress. Sis is 50 and heart disease free, as is brother at 48.

I've been taking grapefruit pectin and pomegranite juice, given anecdotal evidence re plaque reduction. Curious if there is anything non-medical that can regress plaque, beyond the tough Ornish diet?

I'm thinking maybe HALF an Ornish Diet...like adding fish and skinless chicken to a low calorie vegan diet might be better than no Ornish at all. :D:D
Can't hurt!

I'm thinking maybe HALF an Ornish Diet...like adding fish and skinless chicken to a low calorie vegan diet might be better than no Ornish at all. :D:D
Can't hurt!

Funny you should mention that. Something I read said that people who did just that experienced NO plaque reduction, vs. the true Ornish vegan recommendations. Depressing.

Funny you should mention that. Something I read said that people who did just that experienced NO plaque reduction, vs. the true Ornish vegan recommendations. Depressing.

Awww, NUTS!
Oh well, Lipitor still works. :D

Lenin, if you don't mind me asking what were your symptoms before you had your stent put in? Was your BP high? Was your cholesterol high? Did you get breathless climbing stairs? It sounds like the stress tests aren't very accurate. I asked a cardiologist at what age I should start having tests given my family history (father had triple bypass at 56). He said I should wait until I show some signs like high blood pressure, cholesterol etc. But I'm not sure these things are accurate indicators. We score our cholesterol differently in Australia - mine is 4.8 - didn't get the breakdown from the dr's. And what does angina feel like? I get all sorts of vague symptoms but sometimes I wonder if it's all in my head because I read these boards and because i'm paranoid. And don't tell me to run as hard as I can for 5 minutes because I can't run at all - never could - even as a kid.

This earlobe crease thingy has got me freaked too.

I am still trying to get info on this earlobe crease. Based on all I have read, I have found the following possibilities:

1. The crease means you have heart disease and probably blockages.

2. The crease is a genetic risk marker that says you MAY get heart disease, but you are not doomed to get it. (This is my own best guess).

3. The crease is caused by collagen loss, and can be manifest as a wrinkle from the side you sleep on (I know that I sleep on the side of mine, and if I lie on that side watching tv, when I get up the crease is worse, but goes back to normal after a bit).

4. The crease means nothing at all, but is inhereited from your parents.


The information out there is so mixed. I see all these medical studies. But then I find out a lot of them are being used as examples of "bad science" in college statistics classes!!!

acp

Dear ACP,

I am a female in my 30s and I have been recently scouring the internet on earlobe crease info. myself. I completely freaked out over this. I am worrying myself to death. I have a diagonal crease in my left ear, and half of one in my right. With me, too, it gets worse after laying down and better at night. (What does that mean? Is blood flow worse when laying down?) I think I have read every article on the net a million times, each time making me more and more scared. I have even been checking out strangers and seem to find it mostly in older men. Unfortunately, I have become so upset and crying over this. I am convinced I have "hidden" CAD. I do have perfectly controlled blood pressure and cholesterol issues, but still scared. I did go and ask a cardiologist at a top hospital about this. He said there is a connection, but it's a statistical connection and there has been no reason found yet for the association (could be any of those things you mentioned). My dad has the creases (65 and no heart trouble), and my younger sister has it (no trouble either). So I am hoping in my case it is somewhow just some "cute" genetic wrinkle. A few years ago I had a stress echo (due to panic attacks), and it was excellent. That is all I have to go on. I wish I would find an article out there that said this whole thing is a bunch of bunk. I can't seem to find one. If anyone out there can make me (us) feel better, it would be much appreciated.

p.s. I share your frustration with your points 1-4 and the references of bad statistics. I wish there was someone out there we could pose all these questions to!

Yeah it freaks me out too. I had a nuclear stress test in February and it was fine. Just got back some cholesterol results today and they are good: TC 154, LDL 91, HDL 50, Trig. 67.

Yet the earlobe crease "theory" tells me I'm going to keep over from a sudden heart attack soon.

Bear in mind that there are over 300 "risks" associated with heart disease now, and I never expect to meet the person who has all of these covered.

Another thought: go back and look at pics of presidents!

Bush: earlobe creases, and supposedly is as heart-healthy as an 18 year old. Clinton: smooth earlobes and artery clogs.
George HW: ?
Reagan: earlobe creases and no cardio problems.
Eisenhower: smooth earlobes and 5+ heart attacks!

And so forth. So who knows?

acp

Good point! I am curious why you had a nuclear stress test done. Just routine? Your cholesterol numbers look great. I doubt you have any issues. I hope that others see this and have positive feedback to add. My mom points out that if this were such a big thing then there would have been some serious studies done on it by now, proving the connection, not just statistics suggesting it. And, doctors would be checking your ears at each visit.

Good point! I am curious why you had a nuclear stress test done. Just routine? Your cholesterol numbers look great. I doubt you have any issues. I hope that others see this and have positive feedback to add. My mom points out that if this were such a big thing then there would have been some serious studies done on it by now, proving the connection, not just statistics suggesting it. And, doctors would be checking your ears at each visit.

I had the nuke test because I developed severe chest pains while working in my yard, and they suspected angina.

I agree re the follow-up studies, and the curious lack of them. BUT adding to the mystery, there are cardiologists who really do believe this is a marker. Maybe its tied to the gene they just discovered that shows 3/4 of all Caucasians are at risk for heart disease? The crease-effect does appear to vary by race...being an issue for caucasians, none at all for asians, and mixed results for Africans and African-Americans.

All part of the mystery again.

How did you find that some Cardiologists do think this is a marker? Mine just said there is a statistical association, not proven.

How did you find that some Cardiologists do think this is a marker? Mine just said there is a statistical association, not proven.

Just anecdotes really...a cardiologist online here and there who thinks there si something to this.

But again, it seems odd that the issue has been around since the 50s apparently, and no concrete medical studies to really prove or disprove it, unlike all the "usual suspects" (family history, obesity, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.)

I think it a REAL correllation...but I'm just an anecdote.
It's not unlike those "clubbed fingers" that are telltale for a certain kind of heart disease although seemingly completely unrelated physiologically.

Earlobes more creased after sleeping...pillows will push both earlobes front accentuating the crease (if one sleeps on his back.)

There's no point freaking out but I DO think it deserves closer cardiac scrutiny than for a person without the creases. Take better care of your diet, your weight, your exercise and your blood lpid levels. Anyone with other risk factors should work that much harder.

Like I said, a REMARKABLE corrollary which I have read NOWHERE: When I had my RIGHT coronary artery opened with a stent, my right earlobe crease disappeared with a week.:eek: Left is still there big as life.
I would LIKE to check out other people but you just CANNOT scrutinize a strangers ear without people thinking you have a few screws loose.

acp,
You gave me my belly laugh this morning:
Bush: earlobe creases, and supposedly is as heart-healthy as an 18 year old.
I remember when he was running against Kerry and his promoters demanded a shorter lectern for the debate becasue "although BOTH are taller than 6 foot, Kerry's extraordinary height might be seen as an advantage."

So the key word in your quote is the very slippery word "supposedly." Whether he has or develops heart disease is yet to be seen (as is the extremely unlikely possiblity that he will yet grow to be 6 feet tall!":jester:

Thanks for the giggle-fest! :D

I agree completely. And the internet has been the worst place to seek answers. Everything I've found seems to doom and gloom. I think you said your doctor didn't make much of it. That's a good thing. Are there any doctors on this board to ask?

Lenin,

Thanks for the reply. That is an interesting connection! What did the doctors make of that? So, if I have a crease in my left year, do you think there is some blockage going on? My doctor wasn't concerned. Should I be pressing further?

k,

I try not to bother my doctors with things that I KNOW they will pooh-pooh. :D One pooh-poohed my angina and he was proven wrong...one pooh-poohed my gout and he was proven wrong...there's only so much pooh-poohing one can cope with <before expletives start flying! :D>
I don't think most cardiologists are even AWARE of the fact that people HAVE ears! :D

An interesting thought:
For decades and decades everyone noticed that people with arthritis almost NEVER had heart attacks. Doctors pooh-poohed the correllation but then it dawned on a few wise people that perhaps the ASPIRIN that arthritics took by the handfuls might have something to do with it. They tested and VOILA', we're all on aspirin.

Obviously the first doctors who saw it called it "anecdotal" that a sore knee and fingers could prevent heart disease. Just because they couldn't see the correllatory factor didn't make it nonexistent.

I think the medical community would probably love an "easy" way to tell if heart disease were present. If you want to sound cynical, a lot more money would be made by telling people with earlobe creases to get tested!

Part of the issue is, creases could mean different things. There are also studies showing baldness and body hair associate with heart disease...yet they often mean something completely different as well.

The medical studies to date on earlobe creases have been, it is my understanding, very badly constructed, usually using very small samples, etc.

As a corollary, I was just reading about the "studies" that showed an association between LOW cholesterol and suicide, depression, and hemmoragic stroke. They have all now been THOROUGHLY discredited.

I know many doctors pooh pooh the earlobe creases, but many others seem to buy it. Part of me just thinks that if there REALLY were something to it, the medical community would take it seriously. Its no more controversial than some other physical sign indicating disease.

And as a final note: Jerry Falwell had NO earlobe creases!

Lenin,

Thanks for the reply. That is an interesting connection! What did the doctors make of that? So, if I have a crease in my left year, do you think there is some blockage going on? My doctor wasn't concerned. Should I be pressing further?

Get your cholesterol checked, and a stress test. But no doctor on the planet will recommend you for an angiogram based on an earlobe crease.

If you have money to burn, consider getting a CT scan (they start at about $300) which will give you SOME clue as to whether you have blockages.

For me, an angiogram is about the only thing left I COULD do. My cholesterol is TC 154, LDL 91, HDL 50, Trig.s 67. My nuclear stress test 2 months ago was normal. I do an hour of intensive cardio a day, getting my heart rate up to 170, and have never experienced even discomfort let alone pain. I take piles of supplements and eat healthy.

That aside, I could keel over from a heart attack at any moment! Ultimately, these things are unpredictable.

Thanks to all. It sounds like it will remain a mystery. Will do the best to stay healthy and hope for the best. Now I just have to learn how to stop worrying! Any positive parting thoughts?

Are u sure? I thought I saw one in the left ear? okay, sad, not funny.
I appreciate you posting. You set out for help, but both of you ended up helping ME! thank you --

Thanks to all. It sounds like it will remain a mystery. Will do the best to stay healthy and hope for the best. Now I just have to learn how to stop worrying! Any positive parting thoughts?

Only the obvious ones.

1.Get your cholesterol checked and get it down (very easy with statins, less easy but POSSIBLE with diet/exercise/supplements--my route).

2.Get a stress test. If you want to go this route, PLEAD for a cardiolite/nuclear stress test (the one I had) that shows signs of blockages greater than 50%. You will have to have symptoms to get this one...I won't recommend you fake chest pains, BUT...

3.Recall there is new info about inflammation causing more heart attacks than big blockages. SO, eat healthy and exercise and take anti-inflammatory stuff: fish, walnuts, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and turmeric pills (see Andrew Weil's website for detailed info on the anti-inflammation diet).

4. Get cardio exercise somehow EVERY DAY, and get your Body Mass Index (BMI) within normal range. And yes this is tough!!!

5. Investigate supplements that MAY reduce/reverse existing plaque, and are harmless. I drink pomegranite juice and take grapefruit pectin. There is a fiber supplement called "pro-fibe" that many swear reduces artery plaque. THIS subject is even more in the dark then data on earlobe crease, but if the stuff is harmless, it may be worth a try?

6. Don't stress out! This is a hard one for me...I have anxiety-driven blood pressure that I am working on now.

7. Get your blood pressure DOWN, below 120/80. Again, diet, exercise, supplements, and eating out WAY LESS should help a lot.

Honestly, I can't think of anything else!

acp

Thank you. I will ask about that test at my next visit. I really appreciate your taking the time to help! All the best to you~

One last stab at this. I wonder if earlobe creases are actually a sign of a high-stress personality? Stress has been linked to outer appearance changes like grey hair, wrinkles, etc. AND it certainly has been linked to heart disease.

So ironically, obsessing and worrying may in fact be a big part of the issue! Most people I know who are easy-going do NOT have creases, and most people I know who are high-strung, nervous, Type A etc. DO have at least one.

So, maybe a whole new association...

And as a final note: Jerry Falwell had NO earlobe creases!

If one is OBESE enough, ANY bodily creases become impossible.:blob_fire :D


But more seriously, earlobes are fat stores so a crease might say something ablout the type of fat circulating in the body. Creases also become more pronounced during periods of dehydration, a heart risk which coincidentally would concentrate all the lipids in the bloodstream.
So the correllations aren't comp[letely unimagineable.

There's no reason to take this theory to heart but there is more than enough "anecdotal evidence" to merit giving it a closer look with a meaningful trial. Sillier things have been claimed and tested.

There is also the nagging problem of how to quantify the creases..."Is that a crease?" "Is it deep enough to matter?" It was there yesterday but seems to be gone today" "Was it there last year?" kinda things.

Heck, isn't it even possible that both a familial tendency to lay down plaque and a familial tendency to form earlobe creases are genetic markers on the same chromosome and thus are passed together. Many such relationships are being discovered during the big Genome Project.

Dumb question... but do you think anything might get rid of the crease? I just hate looking at it now.

Another thought.... if the creases look worse after laying on them or better at the end of the day, etc. (Mine even look more red in the morning after waking up and having laid on them) This sounds more like a skin situation than something going on with the heart. Wouldn't you think?

Lenin, is it possible that after your surgery you say, no longer sleep on the right side and that is why it's better? Any other explination?

ACP, I like your theory on stress. I am a stressful person. But, my sister is not and she has them too. :(

Oh honestly!!!! I'll be looking everyones ears now!!!!

I am 42, have a faint crease in my right ear, halfway or so across lobe, nothing at all on my left. I have high cholesteral (am taking lipitor) and do have a family history of heart disease (dad died at 50).

My husband, 44 has a very deep crease clear across his left lobe but his right is fine. He has a terrible family history of heart disease.

Hi Dawn, What do you make of it? Do you think there is a connection?

If one is OBESE enough, ANY bodily creases become impossible.:blob_fire :D


But more seriously, earlobes are fat stores so a crease might say something ablout the type of fat circulating in the body. Creases also become more pronounced during periods of dehydration, a heart risk which coincidentally would concentrate all the lipids in the bloodstream.
So the correllations aren't comp[letely unimagineable.

There's no reason to take this theory to heart but there is more than enough "anecdotal evidence" to merit giving it a closer look with a meaningful trial. Sillier things have been claimed and tested.

There is also the nagging problem of how to quantify the creases..."Is that a crease?" "Is it deep enough to matter?" It was there yesterday but seems to be gone today" "Was it there last year?" kinda things.

Heck, isn't it even possible that both a familial tendency to lay down plaque and a familial tendency to form earlobe creases are genetic markers on the same chromosome and thus are passed together. Many such relationships are being discovered during the big Genome Project.

I have heard earlobes are blood vessel stores, and that the crease represents a "collapse of the vascular bed" due to clogs. However, the technology exists to spot clogs in even tiny vessels, so one would think scientists would have actually, physically examined the earlobe itself rather than just speculate.

Dehydration makes sense. I noticed my crease is less pronounced AFTER I exercise, which may very well be due to extra blood flow forcing the little vessels open more.

But in the end, its still a mystery. Scientists jumped on cholesterol and other risk factors with a laser-like intensity, so why has this one been ignored?

I think I'll give the last word to Andrew Weil...when he says its a problem, then I'll really start worrying!

Dumb question... but do you think anything might get rid of the crease? I just hate looking at it now.

Anecdotes suggest that IF the arteries get unblocked, the creases fade. The catch of course is unblocking them. Some people have mentioned stents do the trick at "de-creasing." If like me you don't KNOW you have blockages, then you can try the massive Ornish low fat approach which regresses plaque, or try your hand at supplements like prof-fibe that allegedly reduce plaque.

I have a cholesterol level of 154, bad 91, good 50, trigs 67. My dad is 79 and heart healthy. My mom died at 68 of a heart attack. All this to me means my crease MIGHT indicate either clogs or the risk for them.

My own private prayer is that science gets off its *** and speeds up work on stuff like this AP-Milano substance in Italy which early tests showed actually DOES roto-root arterial plaque. We'll all be better off when we don't have to deal with invasive risky procedures like angiograms, and even riskier operations.

Hi Dawn, What do you make of it? Do you think there is a connection?

Well here's my two cents...I think it definitely could be a connection in certain instances. I'm thinking the older we get, creases just start popping up everywhere so why not earlobes? It makes sense folks oh say 60+ have declining heart health to some degree. So if the earlobe is a blood vessel store as someone mentioned, it would make sense that the creases would show up.

Now, I'm concerned about the possible connection in folks approx my age. I know heart disease is an issue on my dad's side, he himself dropped dead at 50 from the big one. My cholesteral was tested in my early twenties at something like 350. Crazy high. Btw, when my dad died his cholesterol was tested at 220...I take lipitor and plan on taking it till I'm old and REALLY wrinkled :p

My husbands dad had a quad bypass at 45, lots of heart disease in his fathers family, dad ended up dying at 58. My husband has borderline high bp, takes nothing for it. Has no clue what his cholesterol is and doesnt want to know. Is showing other signs of cad and yes, has a very deep crease in his left earlobe. Right lobe is as smooth as a babies tushy.

So, not to discount being older and having a crease, far from it, I just wonder if the crease is more relevant to having early onset cad and therefore maybe a heart attack at a young age.

Was it Lenin who said his crease disappeared within a week after his stent was placed? Coincidence? I think not. But on the flip side, does everyone that has a crease have a blockage?? I doubt that too. So maybe age would come into play.

Sorry if I'm rambling...LOL, I have ears to go check out!!!

Thanks for the post! It's a scary thing, isn't it?? I wish I never even heard of the connection. I have a left ear crease and I take vytorin for cholesterol. My dad has creases in both ears and is healthy at 65 (no cholesterol issues, but takes bp medicine). My younger has creases in both ears and no problems at all - go figure. I just really hope it doesn't mean there are existing (unfound) blockages. Then we at least have a chance to correct things!

It is scary!

But like someone mentioned, is a faint crease better than a deep crease? How about a half of a crease...

Does a crease indicate a decreased blood flow? Is this a minor situation for some women till they get beyond menopause? Or maybe they live with this pretty much for forever till they die at 90 or something.

If you are 40 or 50 with other heart crap going on as well, maybe it really should be taken seriously along with the other symptoms.

Is a crease, without any other indications of heart disease, simply a crease?

That's what we all want to know!! :) Ha Ha! Keep in mind that even with the studies that were done, they only showed a statistical connection. And so a portion of subjects showed no CAD. See ACPs previous post where he outlines the 4 possibile causes as he has learned about it. That is exactly what I found. And the doctor I talked to said the connection is not proven as to how it's happening, it's simply an association.

It is scary!

But like someone mentioned, is a faint crease better than a deep crease? How about a half of a crease...

Does a crease indicate a decreased blood flow? Is this a minor situation for some women till they get beyond menopause? Or maybe they live with this pretty much for forever till they die at 90 or something.

If you are 40 or 50 with other heart crap going on as well, maybe it really should be taken seriously along with the other symptoms.

Is a crease, without any other indications of heart disease, simply a crease?

I think if you were 40 or 50 with other heart crap going on, then the earlobe crease would actually lose its potential usefulness as a marker! Its "point" (if there is one) is to warn a person they may have or be getting heart crap.

My own 2 cents worth is a faint crease is different from a deep one. The folks who have posted and either have had problems or see them in others speak of deep creases. I have a faint one, that the bottom half comes and goes, and the whole thing gets fainter still after I exercise., so I am intersted in this too.

A possibility is, it means the plaque is beginning to knock at your door, and now is the time to try and reverse it before the big blockage. I know the nuclear stress test I had only detects 50%+ blockages, so a faint crease COULD mean the >50% blockage forming.

Like another poster, I am extremely interested in people who made their creases vanish by means other than bypass or stents. I am 100% optimistic that artery roto-rooter will one day be as common place as taking an aspirin.

But in the end, its still a mystery. Scientists jumped on cholesterol and other risk factors with a laser-like intensity, so why has this one been ignored?

I cannot resist: "Because they cannot BILL you to tell you that your earlobes are creased.":jester:

Further info/recap:
I had deep creases in both ears, developed heart disease and had my RIGHT CA stented and my RIGHT ear crease disappeared. It's BACK <Polttergeist music> along with matching left crease, unchanged.
I checked this morning and they look REALLY deep and sort of puffy (but manybe I LOOKED too hard.) I will have another look later after I take my Lasix and get rid of my typical 1/2 gallon morning water weight. I'll report later or tomorrow.

IF creases are dependent on over-retaining of water then the tie-in to heart disease, both direct and through hypertension, seems MUCH more easily drawn.

acp,
Yes, microvessel blockages would seem to be a posssible culprit maybe because a higher upstream presure would force fluid from the arterioles and puff the earlobe emphasisizing a crease.
Let me toss another thought...uric acid crystallization/edema/swelling (gout) is very dependent on temperature...that's why the toes and fingers are most affected. Heck, what could be cooler than an earlobe hanging out there all by it's lonesome.
There are MANY tie-ins between uric acid and vascular disease.

I'm going to try to discreetly check out peoples ears...If I'm missing tomorrow, maybe I'm in the pokey, send bail! :D

I cannot resist: "Because they cannot BILL you to tell you that your earlobes are creased.":jester:

Further info/recap:
I had deep creases in both ears, developed heart disease and had my RIGHT CA stented and my RIGHT ear crease disappeared. It's BACK <Polttergeist music> along with matching left crease, unchanged.
I checked this morning and they look REALLY deep and sort of puffy (but manybe I LOOKED too hard.) I will have another look later after I take my Lasix and get rid of my typical 1/2 gallon morning water weight. I'll report later or tomorrow.

IF creases are dependent on over-retaining of water then the tie-in to heart disease, both direct and through hypertension, seems MUCH more easily drawn.

acp,
Yes, microvessel blockages would seem to be a posssible culprit maybe because a higher upstream presure would force fluid from the arterioles and puff the earlobe emphasisizing a crease.
Let me toss another thought...uric acid crystallization/edema/swelling (gout) is very dependent on temperature...that's why the toes and fingers are most affected. Heck, what could be cooler than an earlobe hanging out there all by it's lonesome.
There are MANY tie-ins between uric acid and vascular disease.

I'm going to try to discreetly check out peoples ears...If I'm missing tomorrow, maybe I'm in the pokey, send bail! :D


They can bill your a test, which would be given WAY more frequently if earlobe creases were used as markers. IMHO doctors would make money hand over fist telling the millions of people with creases to get expensive tests, rather than the ones with symptoms.

The uric acid connection is interesting. Glad mine is low!

One last follow-up. Those of you concerned about earlobe creases who want one more non-invasive test of your cardiovascular system should monitor your heart rate recovery per minute.

Get on a stairclimber or treadmill, and when you are done, or in the "cool down" phase, check your heart rate immediately as you stop the main exercise, and then one minute later on the cool down phase (going very slow!). Ideally your heart rate should fall by 20+ beats per minute. If it falls at a rate of less then 12 bpm, talk to your doctor. As with blood pressure, keep a record of this over a number of cardio sessions, not just one!

This is a reliable and good indication of cardio health, and again, a non-invasive one.

And of course, ANOTHER is the ability to maintain 80% of your age adjusted maximum heart rate for 12 minutes or more.
Age adjusted max is defined as 220 - your age, so a 50 year old should max at 170 and 80% of that is 136 BPM.
If you can do that level of output, then odds on your heart is probably in pretty good shape!

And of course, ANOTHER is the ability to maintain 80% of your age adjusted maximum heart rate for 12 minutes or more.
Age adjusted max is defined as 220 - your age, so a 50 year old should max at 170 and 80% of that is 136 BPM.
If you can do that level of output, then odds on your heart is probably in pretty good shape!

I get mine up to 155 for close to 20-40 minutes so I'm probably doing overkill! I was stuck at improving my heart rate, but am doing interval cardio now at trainer's advice. Don't do this without an all-clear from your doctor folks!!!

BUT your heart performance can be improved, and quick, and that's a good thing.

BUT your heart performance can be improved, and quick, and that's a good thing.

AMEN to that...I found the very same thing!

Wow, interesting comments from evryone!

The ear crease thing has been something I've thought about for a while now too. Ever since my dad died actually (from cancer, not heart problems). When he was in hospice and near the end, the nurses and doctors told us that we would know the end was very near when he developed ear creases. They couldn't explain why, but they had seen it so many times that it has become a regular maker for them to use. Oddly, even though my dad was a heavy smoker, bad eater, and took horrible care of himself, he never developed any sort of heart issue, even in the end. And he never got the creases. We kept looking for them, but they never showed up. (Sorry to be so morbid. I just found this really interesting.)

DH has slight creases in both of his ears, though they are on a fairly steep angle, which may be a good thing. His mom has them too, but she's got earring holes, so they may be the cause. DH has excellent BP and low cholestoral and other than a congenital murmur, has never had heart problems. He's also in excellent shape and gets moderate exercise every day. But he is very excitable and easily stressed out, and he does smoke. His family has absolutely no history of any heart problems, even though nearly all have been heavy smokers. So I'm trying not to worry about him, but it's something I will be keeping an eye on anyway.

The problem with this association is that after some 30 years of people talking about it, it is still all "mights" and "maybes." Mights and maybes, unfortunately, provide a person with absolutely no guidance re medical procedures.

As my own creases deepen, I plan on worrying about this less and less. WORRYING will cause far more problems to your heart than earlobe creases. When someone comes up with a definitive answer to this mystery, then I'll worry again. I would say the same if I were bald or hairy-chested (two more "associations" with heart disease).

I know I started this thread, but I almost regret doing so now! In looking for answers, it only raised questions and concern.

acp

Just talked to two of my colleagues, in their late 40s. They both have DEEP creases on each earlobe. Each had an angiogram in the last year...arteries 100% clean.

So the mystery is likely to roll on and on and on.

Each had an angiogram in the last year...arteries 100% clean.

Hmmm, why did they have angiograms?:angel: :D :blob_fire

desi,
That's very interesting what you said about cancer and ear lobe creases at the end. End stage of many systemic diseases is kidney and heart failure and both mean serious edema. It would thus seem that the nurses correllate the edema with ear creases.
That really IS a good "maybe" to correllate heart disease with earlobe creases...via edema.

(I'll do a test one of these mornings and double my Lasix to 80 mg. and see if later in the day there is a marked effect on my earlobes.)

Hmmm, why did they have angiograms?:angel: :D :blob_fire

desi,
That's very interesting what you said about cancer and ear lobe creases at the end. End stage of many systemic diseases is kidney and heart failure and both mean serious edema. It would thus seem that the nurses correllate the edema with ear creases.
That really IS a good "maybe" to correllate heart disease with earlobe creases...via edema.

(I'll do a test one of these mornings and double my Lasix to 80 mg. and see if later in the day there is a marked effect on my earlobes.)

They had angiograms in the process of investigating tachycardia. One ended up having the ablation procedure. They requested checks for blockages, and came up clear.

As for the end stage patients, I'd be curious as to the age range to the ones showing creases...

acp

ACP, thanks. And I asked my doctor yesterday and he said he remembers it coming up in medical school in the 80s and never was it like "oh my gosh, if you see this, work em up for all these tests". It was only mentioned back then and he hasn't heard boo about it since. Also, in my few days of absence from this board, I did some more research at the medical library and actually found medical studies that showed no correlation at all. If you are interested, I can fax or e-mail them to anyone who cares. I like your attitude ACP. I will worry if I need to. I started out freaked out and now I think I can deal with it. Doctor says I have no reason to believe I have CAD and plan to keep it that way. I am glad you started the link. And thank you for asking those 2 co workers. Something you want to ask, but are afraid to do! People on the board might come with all the bad stories they know, but rarely the good ones. I see creases on so many people in their 30s and above. I dobut every one of them is a walking ticking time bomb. You can also try checking your homocystine levels. I just had my homocystine checked and it was low. High levels are also associated with having blocked arteries. That made me feel better too.

ACP, thanks. And I asked my doctor yesterday and he said he remembers it coming up in medical school in the 80s and never was it like "oh my gosh, if you see this, work em up for all these tests". It was only mentioned back then and he hasn't heard boo about it since. Also, in my few days of absence from this board, I did some more research at the medical library and actually found medical studies that showed no correlation at all. If you are interested, I can fax or e-mail them to anyone who cares. I like your attitude ACP. I will worry if I need to. I started out freaked out and now I think I can deal with it. Doctor says I have no reason to believe I have CAD and plan to keep it that way. I am glad you started the link. And thank you for asking those 2 co workers. Something you want to ask, but are afraid to do! People on the board might come with all the bad stories they know, but rarely the good ones. I see creases on so many people in their 30s and above. I dobut every one of them is a walking ticking time bomb. You can also try checking your homocystine levels. I just had my homocystine checked and it was low. High levels are also associated with having blocked arteries. That made me feel better too.

I doubt the cheap-*** HMO I go to even knows what a homocysteine test is!!! I'm hoping all the folic acid I take and as many leafy greens as I can eat without puking has nipped that one in the bud.

Bet it has! :)

Don't underestimate the negative power of worrying over these kinds of things. I ended up seeing a shrink about it, it got so bad. His sage advice was to focus on what you can do: eat right, exercise, take supplements, and pay attention to symptoms.

The things you can't control (baldness, earlobe creases, etc.) you cannot really change by worrying about, can you?

Life is full of risks and health risks are at the top sadly.

I ended up at a counselor myself! Worrying to death over the creases and thinking I was doomed to CAD. It's too bad that the internet is so full of negative information that you can really get youself spun up over reading about health matters. I think I will leave it all to my doctor when I have questions. :)

p.s. It seems like you have such a positive take on it and I could stand to learn from that. Thx!

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I had never even heard of this until your post. This is nothing to laugh at, and I am shocked any doctor did.