Xanthelasma are subcutaneous fat deposits, rich in cholesterol. They may appear in any part of body but are popular on upper eyelids. They are harmless and painless but may be associated with hyperlipedemic states. The only concern about them is cosmetic.
Is it possible that these highly rich cholesterol deposits are body's protective response to shift deposition of cholesterol from dangerous sites like coronary arteries to sub-epithelial areas.
Hy Syed,
Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is associated with increased risk of ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction independent of other well-known cardiovascular risk factors. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a novel index of arterial stiffness and important marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. A study suggests that XP is associated with increased arterial stiffness in asymptomatic subjects.
Reference: Xanthelasma palpebrarum associated with increased cardio-ankle vascular index in asymptomatic subjects.
Akyüz AR, et al. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2016.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/?term=xanthelasma%20and%20risk
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/?term=xanthelasma%20and%20risk
I have attached a link to Pubmed about the relationship between
xantasma and cardiovascolar risk
Francesco Chirico
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/?term=xanthelasma%20and%20risk
I agree with Mr. Chirico,
It's a first sign on cardiovascular vigilance !
I don't think there is any evidence to suggest that the presence of xanthelasma palpebrarum in a patient is protective in terms of cardiovascular risk as compared, for example, to a patient with similar levels of hypercholestrolemia/ dyslipidemia- but no xanthelasma.
Instead, as pointed out by Francesco and Marianne, xanthelasma, when found in a patient is frequently associated with more severe ranges of dyslipidemia- and as such, should be seen as a marker of increased (not decreased) cardiovascular risk.
Most patients with even severe dyslipidemia states won't have xanthelasma, but when they are present, they can be a useful sign to remind clinicians that appropriate screening of lipid profile should be done as well as broader assessment of absolute cardiovascular risk using validated cardiovascular risk measures. Interestingly, there are reports that when they are present, they are more common in women than men.
As they are one of the few visible physical manifestations of hyperlipidemia, when they are found on a patient, they should be viewed as a clinical sign that potentially alludes to a serious and modifiable risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Thanks esteemed researchers Francesco Chirico, Marianne Levon Shahsuvaryan and Richard Yu for your valuable input.
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