Stanford University study links eyelid spots to heart attack risk

A study led by researchers at Stanford University, published in the journal ‘Atherosclerosis’, has identified xanthelasma—yellowish fatty deposits around the eyelids—as a significant clinical marker for cardiovascular risk.

By analyzing data from 17,925 individuals with xanthelasma and comparing them to a control group over a ten-year period, researchers found that those with these skin markings faced significantly higher risks of serious health events. Within the first year, the rate of heart attacks among those with xanthelasma was 1.0%, compared to 0.35% in the control group. The risk of stroke was also notably higher, at 0.95% versus 0.30%.

Crucially, the study revealed that these elevated risks persist even in individuals with normal blood cholesterol levels. This suggests that xanthelasma may reflect systemic atherosclerosis or other underlying vascular issues beyond simple lipid levels, making it a vital early warning sign for heart attacks, strokes, and transient ischemic attacks (TIA).