A team of researchers from Yale University, led by Dr. John Elefteriades, has developed a simple and quick test that can assist in the early detection of aortic aneurysms — dangerous dilations of blood vessels. An aortic aneurysm is a swelling caused by the weakening or damage of arterial walls, which can occur anywhere in the body, but is most commonly located in the aorta or brain. If this swelling suddenly ruptures, it can cause a severe internal hemorrhage, often fatal. For this reason, early detection is essential.
Dr. Elefteriades’ team proposes the so-called «thumb test», which can indicate early signs of a possible aneurysm. The method is extremely simple: the patient must stretch their hand with the palm open and bend the thumb as much as possible towards the center of the palm. If the thumb exceeds the outer edge of the palm without the hand bending, this could signal an increased risk of aortic aneurysm.
Why does this test work? Researchers explain that excessive mobility of the thumb can indicate hyperlaxity of the joints and overuse of long bones — factors associated with connective tissue disorders throughout the body, including the aorta. To test their theory, Dr. Elefteriades and his team performed this test on 305 patients who had previously undergone heart surgery, including for aortic aneurysms. The results showed that most patients with an aortic aneurysm were unable to bend their thumb over the palm, but a significant percentage of them were able to do so.
These conclusions led researchers to hypothesize that a positive test result could indicate a high probability of an aortic aneurysm. However, although the test can be an initial warning signal, it cannot replace a complete medical consultation. Specialists recommend that anyone who obtains a positive result should consult a cardiologist and undergo additional investigations to assess the real risk to their health.
