Different parts of our body start giving us early signs from time to time about what disease we are going to get. Some people ignore it, while others take it seriously. Recent research emphasizes that regular eye exams can be helpful in detecting not only eye disease but also heart disease.
The retina of the eye contains many tiny blood vessels, which reflect the location of the blood vessels throughout our body. This is why doctors often detect early signs of heart disease during an eye exam, before a patient experiences chest pain, shortness of breath, or blood pressure problems. Let’s explain it in detail.
How to know what the problem is
Any abnormality in the blood vessels in the retina can indicate a risk of high blood pressure, blockage, or stroke. Today, technologies like optical coherence tomography scans and artificial intelligence help doctors detect these subtle changes more quickly.
Visual symptoms
Sometimes, people with heart disease experience specific changes in their retina. The first is Eye Strokes. In this condition, blood flow to the eye’s vessels is temporarily cut off, leaving tiny scars on the retina. This indicates that the eye is not getting enough oxygen and nutrition. Retinal damage comes second. Even mild damage to blood vessels can indicate pressure on blood vessels in the heart or elsewhere in the body, which can lead to heart problems in the future.
Why does heart disease appear in the eyes?
Heart disease often progresses slowly and without symptoms. During this time, blood vessels in the body gradually weaken or become blocked. Because the blood vessels in the eyes are very thin and sensitive, damage becomes apparent quickly. These include:
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Thinning or curvature of the nerves
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Light discharge or bleeding from veins
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Blockage (Eye Strokes)
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Changes in the structure of the retina
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Expert opinion**
American Academy of Ophthalmology Dr. Joseph Njegoda explains that OCT scans can not only show eye problems, but also major diseases such as heart and brain diseases. An image of the eye can help doctors determine whether heart disease is developing, they say. This is important because the sooner a disease is detected, the easier it can be to treat and control.
Who should be more vigilant?
Everyone can benefit from regular eye exams, but some people may already notice symptoms, such as:
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Those who have high blood pressure
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Those who have high cholesterol
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Those who have type 2 diabetes
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Smokers or former smokers
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Those who have a family history of heart disease
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Those whose age is more than 40 years