Yellow eyelid marks are 'early warning sign of heart disease'

Yellow marking in the skin around the eyes can be a sign of heart disease, according to scientists.

A study of almost 13,000 people found people with the patches, known as xanthelasmata, were more likely have a heart attack or die within 10 years.

The spots are deposits of cholesterol which are soft and painless. They don't interfere with vision and people often get them treated at a dermatologist.

However, people with xanthelasma should go to their doctor as well, according to the research published online in the British Medical Journal.

The heart disease link was most acute in men aged between 70 and 79. Those with xanthelasmata were 12 per cent more at risk than others without the condition. The corresponding risk for women in this group was eight per cent.

However, the raised yellow patches around the eyelids was a more reliable sign of heart disease in women because of their lower overall risk

The yellow markings (seen just above and below the corner of the eye) are deposits of cholesterol

'However, presence of xanthelasmata was a slightly better predictor of heart attack and heart disease in women than in men, and in those aged under 55 years compared with those aged 55 and over.

'This might be explained by the fact that male sex and age are both well known risk factors for heart attack and heart disease, so the presence of xanthelasmata just adds to this predetermined risk in men and in older people.

'In women, who have a smaller inherent risk of developing heart attack and heart disease, presence of xanthelasmata has a correspondingly larger predictive value.'

They said their results 'clearly establish for the first time that people with xanthelasmata have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.'