Tweet
It has long been held by many ancient civilizations that the eye provides a window into one?s heart and soul. As it turns out, there may now be scientific research to prove this fact. Research published in Heart, has shown that the width of blood vessels located in the back of the eye, can identify which of us are at risk for dying prematurely from a heart attack. Coronary heart disease is a condition caused when the tiny blood vessels supplying oxygen to the muscle of the heart become clogged. It is estimated that 62 million Americans have this disease. Symptoms of severe coronary artery disease include, chest pain with or without excertion, heart attack and sudden death. Known risk factors for coronary heart disease include high cholesterol levels, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and a family history of the disease. The study conducted by researchers in Australia involved over 3 600 subjects. All subjects had pictures taken of their retinas- the thin film in the back of the eye that is necessary for seeing. The researchers measured the size of both arteries and veins. Nine years after the pictures were taken, 4% of women and nearly 8% of men had died from a heart attack. Those with wider veins were nearly twice as likely to have died from a heart attack. In addition, women aged 50 to 75 with narrow arteries had a 50 percent higher risk of death from coronary heart disease. The findings suggests yet another reason to see your eye doctor for a dilated eye exam.
Comment