Xanthelasmas may indicate an increased risk of heart attack and stroke

Yellowish plaques around the eyes, known as xanthelasmas, may be a sign of an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. This was reported by scientists whose work was published in the journal Atherosclerosis.

Researchers from Stanford University analyzed the medical data of 17,925 patients with xanthelasma and the same number of people without it. Xanthelasmas are yellowish growths on the eyelids caused by the accumulation of cholesterol and other fats in the cells. Their appearance is often associated with high levels of cholesterol in the blood, but they also occur in people without this disorder.

During the first year after diagnosis, 1 percent of patients with xanthelasma had a heart attack versus 0.35 percent of controls. 0.95 percent versus 0.3 percent suffered a stroke, and 0.6 versus 0.19 percent suffered a transient ischemic attack. The increased risk continued after five and ten years. Moreover, the connection was observed regardless of the presence of elevated levels of fats in the blood.

The authors emphasize that xanthelasmas themselves do not cause a heart attack or stroke, but can serve as an external marker of hidden cardiovascular disorders. Scientists believe that the appearance of such formations may be a reason to check cholesterol levels, blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors.