Cardiac worry - Franks sign - ear lobe creasing

Lostworrier82 · ‎12-10-2023

Hi all,

I thought I was doing ok lately on the health anxiety side of things, I’ve been eating healthier, loosing some weight and feeling good about myself. However, I was scrolling through TikTok and a random post came up about ‘Franks sign’ curiosity got me so I ended up watching the reel. It spoke about people having diagonal creases on their ear lobes meant they would have some form of CAD. Insert panic as of course I have deep creasing on my ear lobes. I ended up googling too 🙄 and it’s a thing. I’ve never heard of it before but apparently it can be an indicator. I spoke to my husband who is very blah about things and he said you’ve already had checks done so I doubt it relates to you.

I had a CT angiogram in 2020 and it showed 0 calcium markers and I also had a stress test last year which was fine. Obviously I am unfit but didn’t show anything. I looked at old photos from last year and I did have creasing but a few years ago not so much 🤷🏻‍♀️ thought it was due to putting on weight over the years but yeh I’m just in a bad way now. I can’t get any cardio checks done as I don’t have symptoms and they won’t do another CT scan on me as it’s only been a few years. My cholesterol is slightly elevated but has been for a few years and dr thinks stress can cause it to be elevated at times.

sorry to vent but I was just freaking out. I’m trying to calm my mind that I have in fact had checks done within the last few years.

has anyone heard of this before?

or am I the only one it reached just to

stress me out unless it was a sign.

sometimes I hate myself when I get like this.

white knight · ‎13-10-2023

Hi, welcome

Re: "sometimes I hate myself when I get like this. " more on that later.

The best summary of Franks sign is the following taken from Medical News Today -

"Summary

Many studies link a diagonal earlobe crease on one or both ears — known as Frank’s sign — with a higher risk of cardiovascular conditions such as stroke and heart attack.

While the underlying mechanism that links it with a heart attack is lacking, many studies prove the association. Moreover, using it along with known risk factors can help predict heart attack and even the outlook of specific procedures.

However, people should not rely solely on having an earlobe crease. A person with other risk factors for heart disease must consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and timely management."

So as a non qualified medical person I suggest that you talk to your GP when you next visit.

That confirms there are many issues to look at and your GP can advise you. So I think many of us that have mental health issues or are fixated on medical things have fears and those fears are akin to over thinking. We need to assess this and lower our concerns, to get it is perspective.

There is a big difference between being concerned and following it up than over thinking, worrying to the point whereby it effects your relationships or causes harm to yourself. I had a friend once that had heart failure in his family and ended up with a stroke. I've often wondered if the stroke was from the worry of a heart attack?. This link can help.

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/worry-worry-worry/td-p/87808

I'm glad you posted. Reply anytime.

TonyWK

Lostworrier82 · ‎17-10-2023

Thanks Tony for your reply.

I actually just went to my Dr today for other reasons so I decided to ask her. She has never heard of it at all. But she said even if it was the case that she wouldn’t base getting a heart check on an ear crease. It would be about cholesterol etc. I have had elevated cholesterol and for that she sent me to a cardiologist in 2020 have had a CT angiogram done which was zero calcium and echo and ekg was fine. I had a stress test done in may last year which was also fine. So based on that she thinks I’m fine as everything has been clear at this stage. Every two years she will be sending me for a check up so for my own anxiety I’ll be making sure I go next year. But based on her information I have to trust previous results and her opinion. I’m trying to accept that without freaking out otherwise I’ll just spiral. Deep down I do know I should trust the test results and Dr advice. I keep getting on and off arm pain in the same spot and jaw pain. I’ve noticed these appear at heightened stress times. Need to focus on something else I think.

Thanks again for your advice. I have checked out that other forum and it has helped. I need to do better with my metal state for sure.

Have a lovely day.
Mandy

white knight · ‎19-10-2023

Thats very good progress. Well done.

This thread can help also, my own struggles overcoming anxiety.. Any questions yell out.

Anxiety, how l eliminated it - Page 2 - Beyond Blue Forums - 183873

TonyWK

Leolady23 · ‎01-01-2024

Hey Lostworrier82,

i also have noticed ive developed cardiac anxiety in the last year or so. Similarly, ive seen a cardiologist and had ecg/holtermonitors/echo tests which have all come back ok. I think my biggest struggle is accepting the unknown, knowing that ive been given the all clear as much as possible but never truly knowing with absolute certainty. Have you any tips that youve tried that have helped along the way?