Heart Disease in Eyes: All the organs of our body already start giving us signals about what disease we are going to get. Some people ignore it, while some people take it seriously. Recent new research emphasizes that regular eye examination can be helpful not only for eyes but also in detecting heart diseases. There are many small blood vessels in the retina of the eye, which reflect the condition of the blood vessels in our entire body. For this reason, doctors often spot early signs of heart disease during eye examination, even before the patient experiences chest pain, shortness of breath or blood pressure problems. Let us tell you about it in detail.
How do you know what the problem is?
If any abnormality is seen in the blood vessels in the retina, it can indicate the risk of high blood pressure, blockage or stroke. Nowadays, technologies like optical coherence tomography scan and artificial intelligence help doctors to identify these subtle changes more quickly.
signs visible in the eyes
Sometimes special changes are seen in the retina of people with heart disease. The first is eye strokes, in which the blood flow in the veins of the eye stops for some time, leaving small marks on the retina. This is a sign that the eyes are not getting enough oxygen and nutrition. Retinal damage comes in second place. In this, slight damage in the blood vessels can also indicate that there is pressure on the heart or blood vessels somewhere in the body and heart problems may occur in the future.
Why is heart disease reflected in the eyes?
Heart disease often progresses slowly without giving any symptoms. During this period, the blood vessels of the body gradually become weak or blocked. Since the blood vessels of the eyes are very thin and sensitive, damage becomes visible quickly. This includes-
- thinning or tortuous veins
- slight leakage or bleeding from the veins
- Blockage (Eye Strokes)
- changes in the structure of the retina
Expert opinion
Dr. Joseph Nezgoda of the American Academy of Ophthalmology explains that OCT scan is not only for the eyes but can also indicate major diseases like heart and brain. He says that from a picture of the eye, doctors can guess whether heart disease is developing. This is important because the sooner the disease is caught, the easier it can be treated and controlled.
Who should be more cautious?
Everyone can benefit from regular eye exams, but some people may notice signs early, such as:
- having high blood pressure
- having high cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes patients
- smokers or ex-smokers
- Those with a family history of heart disease
- people over 40 years of age
Also read: Silent Heart Attack Signs: So many people died of heart attack in the last one week, why are these cases increasing?
Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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