Posted on 05/26/2021 8:01:13 AM PDT by Red Badger
Aortic aneurysms are a major killer globally. The aorta is an enormous blood vessel that carries blood away from your heart, and when it develops an abnormal bulge this is known as an aortic aneurysm (Einstein had one wrapped with literal cellophane). They can cause discomfort, but most people aren’t aware that they have an aortic aneurysm until it’s picked up in scans. If the aneurysm ruptures, it causes mass internal bleeding, which is usually fatal, so detecting these vessel abnormalities is a key step in the prevention of death.
Now, a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology has found that a simple self-conducted test involving the thumb and palm of one hand could be used to identify people for whom it’s worth checking for a hidden aortic aneurysm. According to the report, that aortic aneurysm is the 13th most common cause of death in America, killing around 10,000 people annually, so early detection through a simple test such as this could have huge ramifications for the survival rates among those affected.
The test is easy: hold your hand up and keep your palm flat, as if you’re indicating for someone to stop. Then, stretch your thumb as far as you can across your palm (without hurting yourself). The test is checking for connective tissue disease, which makes the likelihood of an aortic aneurysm more likely. If your thumb can stretch past the edge of your hand, this could be indicative of one such disease and the researchers say may be a sign of a hidden aortic aneurysm.
If your thumb has extended beyond your hand, it’s important to note that not everybody who can do this is found to have an aortic aneurysm. Furthermore, aortic aneurysms can endure for long periods of time without rupturing. Their detection however is vital as the condition can be managed with lifestyle changes and sometimes surgery. They also call for consistent monitoring so that patients and their physicians can keep ahead of the disease before it results in a potentially fatal rupture.
Position 1 is your starting position. Position 2 is a negative thumb-palm sign. Position 3 is a positive thumb-palm sign and it may be worth getting checked out. Image credit: IFLScience/di Bronzino/Shutterstock.com “The biggest problem in aneurysm disease is recognizing affected individuals within the general population before the aneurysm ruptures,” said senior author Dr John A. Elefteriades, emeritus director of the Aortic Institute at Yale New Haven Hospital. “Our study showed that the majority of aneurysm patients do not manifest a positive thumb-palm sign, but patients who do have a positive test have a high likelihood of harboring an aneurysm.”
While the thumb test is not on its own a sufficient tool for confirmation of diagnosis, Dr Elefteriades and colleagues believe the test is worthy of inclusion in standard physical examinations as it could prove lifesaving, especially for those with a family history of aortic aneurysm.
“Spreading knowledge of this test may well identify silent aneurysm carriers and save lives,” Dr Elefteriades said.
Better get a covid shot just in case.
Not likely to pick it up on an EKG
Thanks.
My thumb on each hand extend to between my ring finger and little finger on each hand.
How far does your thumb extend on your hand?
Basically testing for Marfans Disease. I have aneurisms in multiple arteries yet donâÂÂt test positive for connective tissue diseases like Marfans.
Reminds me of another self test:
There are two signs of being queer...The first is having hair on your knuckles...
The second is looking for it...
(I know...thats not PC anymore. But this was only from about 50 years ago.)
But really, you should check :)
That is quite similar to a HS joke we had in the 60’s, only it was a certain line on your palm!.........................
Thumb doesn’t go near that far
This test is quackery
“This test is quackery”
So...we’re fine to just duck it?
[flees the building cackling]
A very good friend of mine died suddenly in February of an aortic aneurysm. I’m still coming to terms with the entire matter. So sad.
My mother had one but they caught it in time. I’m a former smoker so I got a free test. No sign of one
My last living uncle died of one.
He had a cold and coughed real hard and it popped.
Over in seconds....................
My Dad had one that he found while he and Mom were in France on a vacation. He didn’t have any idea WHAT it was, but as soon as they got back, off to the hospital they went. It was the same thing that killed George C. Scott. Luckily, they got to Dad’s in time! Not everybody is so fortunate.
A Florida man tied it to his truck’s hitch.
You can guess the rest.
lots of people have died this way
pre 1980s, detection and treatments were unheard of
My thumb reaches the edge of my hand, but I had an aortic graft repair of my AAA 8 years ago. Getting it fixed may not reset the thumb tissues apparently.
Left hand thumb stretches to line up even with those other side of my palm.
Right hand thumb only stretches to between fourth and little finger.
I’m left handed so would presume there would be more dexterity on that hand.
For the test, I’ll go with the right hand.
That said, this “test” is a very bad joke.
It’s a White supremacy sign. You’re all going to go to jail.
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