I heard that a crease in the ear lobe is a risk factor for heart attack. Is that true?

Question

Years ago I read that there was a statistical relationship between a crease in the earlobe (found in older people) and hear attack. I wonder if that is still being circulated as true. Is it true?

Answer 1

Yes that is true and medically recognized, though there is some controversy as to why it occurs. Most studies give a correlation of 70 to 80%. The crease is found at the bottom part of the ear. It is a diagonal crease running from where the ear is attached, starting at the opening, sloping downward toward a person's spine.

Here's some recent literature
"It was found that ear lobe crease (ELC) was strongly correlated with CAD in both men and women (P < 0.0001) but with sudden cardiac death only in men (P < 0.04). The sensitivity of the ELC sign was 75% and the positive predictive value (ppv) was 68%. In individuals below 40 years, the ppv was as high as 80%."

Answer 2

Do you have a crease on your earlobe?

If you do, you may be exposing yourself to cardiovascular disease

At least 30 different studies have shown that a diagonal crease in the earlobe was a sign of increased risk for heart attack. The presence of a unilateral earlobe crease was associated with a 33% increase in the risk of heart attack and 77% if both earlobes were creased. Chronic circulatory problems cause the blood vessels in the earlobe to collapse. This then creates a crease in the earlobe. A diagonal earlobe crease is a better indicator of sudden death from heart attack than age, smoking, weight, high cholesterol, or sedentary lifestyle.

For some reason a creased earlobe doesn’t increase the risk of heart attack in Asians and Native Americans.

Other research, however, seems to indicate that earlobe creases are more common in older people, and that age, not the presence of creases, accounts for this increased risk. Other genetic factors such as race and earlobe shape may also determine the presence of earlobe creasing and whether it appears in childhood or adulthood.

Answer 3

i dont believe that theres a statistical realationship between a crease in the earlobe and heart attack, all u have to do is forget that belief cause it can only trigger your mind and it will cause tension to you, all u have to do is a regular diet,exercise, eat plenty of fruits.. enjoy life think positive..keep busy help other people that need your help. stop smoking and a moderate drinking the best is red wine.

Answer 4

you can do alot of things with stats, but not every person with a heart attack has the crease, and not everyone with a crease has a heart attack, so I would say the best that can be said is that the jury is still out on that one.

Answer 5

Alternative medical believers do say that.

Answer 6

Must be tru...my husband has it and he had a heart attack.