Don’t ignore palpitations that could mean a heart problem: Dr

While your fortune may be written on your palm, your destiny may be found in your nails.

California ER doctor Joe Whittington has taken to TikTok to explain that if you press on your nail bed and see a pulsation, serious cardiovascular problems could be occurring.

Known as Quincke’s sign, this pulsation is caused by aortic regurgitation, also called valvular regurgitation.

“This means that while the blood is leaving the heart to go into the body, a significant amount of it is actually going back to the heart,” Whittington said. “That can cause a whole host of problems.”

More than 11 million Americans—about 2.5% of the population—are believed to have some form of heart valve disease.

At the milder end of the symptom spectrum, aortic regurgitation can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

However, it can also lead to heart failure, arrhythmia, endocarditis, fluid retention and even sudden cardiac arrest.

Whittington states that there is another physical sign indicative of aortic regurgitation.

Corrigan’s sign or water hammer pulse is characterized by visible pulsations of the arteries in the neck.

“If it gets that bad, eventually, you’re going to need a valve replacement,” Whittington said as he demonstrated a severe case.

Research shows that paying attention to the pulse of the neck and nails is critical.

More than a quarter of “healthy” adults over 60 have undiagnosed heart valve disease, a study has found, which puts extra strain on the heart and increases the risk of heart disease.

An ultrasound of the heart can detect heart valve disease — but researchers say patients usually only get one when they report symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or dizziness, or when a doctor hears an unusual noise during an exam physical.

Whittington recommends seeing a medical professional to schedule an echocardiogram if you notice a neck or nail pulse.