Crease in ear lobe linked to stroke

HAVING diagonal creases across your ear lobes may mean you are at increased risk of suffering a stroke, according to new research.

Israeli scientists who examined 241 people who had experienced a stroke found more than threequarters of them had the creases, known as Frank’s sign. It’s thought that clogging of the arteries, which increases the risk of a stroke, also leads to poor blood supply to the ear lobes, leading to visible creasing. The researchers said doctors should consider adding the ear lobe crease to the list of ‘classic risk factors for the development of stroke’. But other observers say the feature could be little more than a sign of advancing years.

Famous people known to have creased ear lobes, include Steven Spielberg, 70, and Mel Gibson, 61.

In the study, published in the American Journal of Medicine, the researchers said that 78 of 88 patients who had a full-blown stroke (88%) had creased ear lobes. However, some stroke experts advised caution. ‘Further studies are needed to assess the importance of the so-called Frank’s sign,’ said Dr Yaqoob Bhat of the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in South Wales.