This Overlooked Body Part Says Your Heart Could Be in Danger
Say you passed your yearly physical with flying colors – blood pressure, blood tests, weight, and whatnot in tip-top shape. But then it strikes...
A massive heart attack.
And that means you might have missed a bright red warning flag on your skin...
Most people probably don't think of skin giving any warning signs of a heart attack. To be honest, we don't pay enough attention to our body's biggest organ. Skin is our protector – a first line of defense against bacteria, chemicals, and radiation. It regulates our temperature and produces vitamin D.
And it's also one of the earliest indicators for inflammatory diseases... like those that could lead to a heart attack.
In the past, we've told our readers to keep an eye on their skin. You should be aware of any moles or spots that are asymmetrical, have changed size or shape, or have an odd color. Those are markers of skin cancer.
Skin cancer is just one type of disease that is affecting your defensive organ. And more folks than you might think have a problem with their skin. According to numbers from the American Academy of Dermatology, about 50% of folks age 65 and older have at least one skin disease.
One of those skin diseases is psoriasis...
The Plaques That Plague You
More than 8 million Americans suffer from psoriasis. And it has become a big problem everywhere else, too...
A Journal of Investigative Dermatology study published last week found that between 1990 and 2021, the number of new psoriasis cases nearly doubled worldwide. And it's most common among folks aged 50 to 70 years.
The condition involves raised patches (or "plaques") of itchy, thickened, and scaly skin that pop up when triggered. This is plaque psoriasis. For some folks, a recent illness can cause flare-ups, as can stress or cold weather.
These lesions are the telltale sign, but some psoriasis presents itself as red bumps or a rash instead. Psoriasis can also lead to psoriatic arthritis, which can cause permanent damage if left untreated.
We still don't know what causes psoriasis. It has a strong genetic component, and many researchers believe it's a type of autoimmune disorder, where your immune system goes on the fritz and overreacts.
What we do know is that it's tied to many other diseases... And it increases your risk of heart disease.
If you have any skin issues, here are the most common symptoms of psoriasis:
• Raised patches (or "plaques") of red, itchy skin with a whitish coating of scales
• Little dimples (or "pitting") in your fingernails and toenails
• Dry skin that cracks and bleeds
• Swollen, stiff, or painful joints
• Peeling skin
One of the biggest issues with psoriasis is its link to other diseases. All that inflammation happening on your skin reflects inflammation happening under the surface throughout your body. And we know that chronic inflammation ramps up your risk of heart disease and more.
Here's a snapshot of some of the other diseases linked to psoriasis...
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Depression and anxiety
(I recently talked about something called a "mini stroke." It sounds harmless – like a fender bender or a little head cold. But don't be fooled by the nickname... Consider it a warning shot fired off by your brain. In fact, it might just be the only warning before the devastation of a full stroke hits. If you're not a subscriber to my Retirement Millionaire newsletter, try it out for a month at a special price for readers like you.)
A diagnosis can be tricky, though, because many skin diseases look similar to one another. Eczema, for instance, can look like psoriasis. And if your psoriasis appears as a rash without the white, patchy lesions, it's easy to dismiss it as a simple allergic reaction or heat rash.
If you find any of these symptoms, be sure to get them checked. And take the time to go to a dermatologist. They have specific training to identify the true cause of any skin problems.
Just be aware that for a psoriasis diagnosis, you may need a biopsy. That involves removing a small sample of the affected skin to test under a microscope.
For treatment, there are several types of medicated creams (some that you can purchase over the counter), but it will depend on the type of psoriasis. That's another reason a diagnosis is so important.
Keep Psoriasis Away
Protect your skin from cold, dry weather. It's easy to forget this in the heat of summer, but as we get closer to fall, start practicing common sense. Whenever the temperature dips down or it's especially dry, limit your time outdoors.
But at the same time, don't think you're doing your skin any favors with a piping-hot bath because it'll dry out your skin. Speaking of which...
Use moisture. Keep a humidifier in your bedroom to use while you sleep (remember, you spend about a third of your life in bed!). And lotion up to keep your skin moisturized and healthy. This will help avoid cracking. My researcher is prone to cracked skin when she washes her hands too frequently (like during cold and flu season), so she keeps lotion right at her desk and some in her bathroom. And a small bedside humidifier will work wonders for keeping your skin happy.
Keep your immune system healthy. Wash your hands regularly, but avoid antibacterial soaps. They aren't any more effective than regular soap and water. Plus, they contribute to drug-resistant bacteria, or "superbugs."
Getting plenty of sleep keeps your immune system strong, as does eating well. Load up on antioxidants in fruit and veggies. And even add in a probiotic. You can take a pill or make fermented foods part of your diet – we're talking about yogurt and kimchi, not beer.
Fight stress. Stress is a massive trigger for most immune-related disorders. So you want to do your best to keep it under wraps. Some movement helps... Go for a walk, try some tai chi, or enjoy a jog around the neighborhood. Take time each day to unplug, too... Being tuned into electronics so much raises our cortisol levels (that's the stress hormone). And give meditation a try. Even just 10 minutes a day can lower your stress levels.
Do you have other tips for managing psoriasis or any other skin conditions? Let us know at feedback@healthandwealthbulletin.com.
What We're Reading...
- Something different: Prescription-drug ads face big changes... And these stocks could get hurt the most.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
September 16, 2025