What Your Hands Are Warning You About Your Heart

Summary

Dr. Eric Berg describes seven hand-related signs that he says may offer clues about cardiovascular or other health issues. He emphasizes that these signs are not diagnoses and recommends having concerning or new changes checked by a healthcare professional.

• Grip strength: Berg cites research linking declining grip strength with a higher risk of dying from heart disease. He suggests noticing practical changes, such as struggling to open jars or give a firm handshake, or having grip strength measured.
• Ring finger that won’t lie flat: He says this may be associated with elevated blood sugar and other health conditions, and suggests checking blood sugar if this sign is present.
• Clubbing of the nails: Rounded, enlarged fingertips or a changed nail angle may be associated with lung or heart conditions. Berg recommends medical evaluation, particularly if the change is recent.
• White or cloudy nails: He presents this as a possible reason to look more closely at overall health. In one example, he says a patient’s evaluation led to attention to prediabetes and heart health.
• Yellow bumps over hand tendons: Berg says these may indicate cholesterol deposits and recommends discussing cholesterol assessment with a clinician, including whether an advanced lipid profile is appropriate.
• Fine tremors in both hands: He says a fine, rapid tremor can be associated with an overactive thyroid and suggests getting thyroid function checked.
• Cold hands: He notes that cold hands do not necessarily mean poor circulation; stress and the autonomic nervous system may play a role. If stress seems to trigger the symptom, he recommends looking into it further.

Checks and self-care mentioned

• Consider checking grip strength, resting heart rate, A1C, fasting insulin, and thyroid function with appropriate medical guidance.
• Berg says a resting heart rate consistently above 75 beats per minute is worth checking. He also mentions a coronary artery calcium (CAC) test as one option for assessing heart health.
• He recommends focusing on nutrition, sleep, and exercise, and stresses addressing underlying health issues rather than treating a hand symptom in isolation.
• Do not rely on hand signs alone to assess heart risk. Seek professional evaluation for concerning symptoms or changes.

Presenter and sources

Dr. Eric Berg. Sources cited in the video include a 2015 The Lancet study, a review of 32 studies, a 23-year study of more than 30,000 people, and a study of 951 people. Full study details are not provided in the subtitles.