Xanthelasmata: You need to know what this is

If you have yellow markings on your eyelids, they could be xanthelasmata, which could be an early indicator of heart disease. Treating the condition as a purely dermatological one, could be a deadly choice. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Researchers in Denmark have examined thousands of patients with xanthelasmata. Their research found that over the years, 48 percent were more likely to have a heart attack. 

The yellow features, are made primarily of cholesterol, gathered into pockets beneath the skin. For most people, they are merely unsightly and they visit cosmetic surgeons to have them removed. However, cardiologists are viewing them differently. They're signs of a potentially far more dangerous condition under the skin. 

Researchers at the Herley Hospital in Denmark followed 12,745 people starting in the 1970's. At that time, 4.4 percent of the patients had xanthelasmata. Thirty-three years later, 1,872 had heart attacks, 3,699 had developed heart disease, and 8,507 had died.  The data showed that those with the yellow marking around the eyes were at the highest risk of illness and death.

Broken into percentages, those with markings around their eyes were 48 percent more likely to have heart attacks, 39 percent more likely to develop heart disease, and 14 percent more likely to die. 

 Researchers suspect that patients with xanthelasmata are also more likely to have atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of fat and cholesterol around the walls of arteries, which leads to heart attacks and strokes. 

Patients with xanthelasmata has a twenty percent chance of developing heart disease in the next ten years.

The authors of the study concluded that patients with xanthelasmata must be considered high risk and need to make immediate lifestyle changes to reduce bad cholesterol. 

Unfortunately, at least until now, xanthelasmata has been seen as a dermatological condition and many patients took care of the yellow deposits, but not their cholesterol. Researchers are hopeful that will change. 

Using the yellow deposits as a warning sign, dermatologists are encouraged to suggest patients also check their cholesterol and talk with their physicians. Those patients need to consider making significant lifestyle changes if they wish to avoid heart disease. 

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