A doctor has sounded the alarm for a particular symptom to watch for when pressing down on fingernails. Dr Joe Whittington, known as Dr Joe MD on Instagram, highlighted that pulsating colours of pink and white beneath the nail could be a warning sign of a grave heart condition.
In his social media video, he cautioned viewers about Quincke’s sign, which may indicate aortic regurgitation—a serious issue that can lead to heart failure or even death if not addressed promptly. “If you see this, it’s a bad sign,” he warned.
To test for Quincke’s sign, you should press on the top of their fingernail; a pulsation between white and pink suggests a potential health concern. Dr Joe elaborated in his post: “Quincke’s sign is a physical sign seen in people with aortic regurgitation, a heart condition where blood flows back into the heart instead of moving forward. “
He further explained that this occurs due to malfunctioning heart valves, resulting in stronger arterial pulses. This sign is used by medical professionals as an indicator to diagnose the heart condition.
A case study, published in the British Medical Journal in 2021, detailed an instance of Quincke’s sign in a 74-year-old man. Accompanying symptoms of shortness of breath, weight gain, swelling, and high jugular venous pressure led to his congestive heart failure diagnosis.
The study remarked: “Quincke’s pulse is characterised by alternating flushing and blanching of the nail bed in concert with the cardiac cycle, and frequently occurs along with wide pulse pressure.”
Additionally, it noted: “It is most commonly associated with severe aortic valve insufficiency; however, it can also be seen in patients with coarctation of the aorta as well as in patients with high-output physiology. The presence of Quincke’s pulse in a patient presenting with heart failure should raise suspicion for high-output heart failure.”
Other warning signs of heart failure, according to the NHS, include:
- Breathlessness
- Swollen ankles and legs
- Feeling lightheaded and fainting
- A persistent cough, which may be worse at night
- Wheezing
- A bloated tummy
- Loss of appetite
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Confusion
- A fast heart rate
- A pounding, fluttering or irregular heartbeat (palpitations).
You should see your GP if you experience persistent or gradually worsening symptoms of heart failure. The NHS adds: “Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department as soon as possible if you have sudden or very severe symptoms.”