Don’t ignore pulsation that may mean a heart problem: doctor

While your fortune might be written on your palm, your fate may be found in your fingernails.

California ER doctor Joe Whittington has taken to TikTok to explain that if you press down on your nail bed and see a pulsation, severe cardiovascular issues may be afoot.

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

“This means that as the blood is leaving the heart to go to the body, a significant portion of it actually backflows back into the heart,” Whittington said. “This 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.

On 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 backup and even sudden cardiac arrest.

Whittington maintains that there’s another tell-tale physical sign of aortic regurgitation.

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

“If it gets this bad, ultimately, you’ll need a valve replacement,” Whittington said as he showed a severe case.

Research shows that paying attention to neck and nail pulsations is critical. 

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

A heart ultrasound can reveal heart valve disease — but researchers say patients typically only get one when they report symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain or dizziness, or when a doctor hears an unusual murmur during a physical exam. 

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