There are a lot of easy health checks that people can do at home, like checking their pulse and doing regular self-exams. But the “thumb test” is a lesser-known check that is getting a lot of attention.
This quick move only takes two seconds, and doctors say it can sometimes give them hints about a possible heart problem, even though it isn’t a diagnostic tool.
What is the thumb test, how does it work, and what should you do if you try it at home? Cardiologists explain it, as per a report by HuffPost.
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What is the thumb test?
Dr. Tracy Paeschke, a preventative cardiologist, said, “The thumb test is an easy test people can do to see if they are at increased risk for an aortic aneurysm.” “The thumb test involves laying your thumb across your flat palm. If your thumb extends beyond the edge of your palm, this indicates joint laxity or stretchiness, which can be associated with connective tissue diseases,” as per a report by HuffPost.
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Conditions like Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome make blood vessel walls weaker, which raises the risk of aneurysms, especially aortic aneurysms. The thumb test, also called the thumb-palm test, is not meant to prove that someone has an aneurysm. Instead, it may show that their joints are too flexible, which is a sign of these conditions.ALSO READ: Dietitians share 10 delicious Diabetic-friendly breakfasts you will actually enjoy Paeschke pointed to research, “A study in 2021 showed that people with a positive thumb sign had a high likelihood of having an ascending aortic aneurysm, widening of the large blood vessel in the chest that carries blood from the heart to all parts of the body.”What are the problems with the thumb test?
Dr. Marc Bonaca, a cardiologist and vascular medicine expert who is also the chair of the American Heart Association PAD Collaborative, said, “Remember this is not a diagnostic test.” “Most people with an aortic aneurysm will have a negative thumb test. Those who have a positive thumb test may have a connective tissue condition associated with aneurysm, but that does not mean they have an aneurysm.”
The same study from 2021 also said that a positive thumb test made it more likely, but “the majority of aneurysm patients do not show a positive thumb-palm sign.”
Dr. Tarak Rambhatla, a cardiologist at the Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute of Baptist Health South Florida, stressed how limited it is. He said, “The thumb test is not considered accurate or reliable as a screening tool for an aortic aneurysm.” “Many healthy people may have a ‘positive’ test without any mixed connective tissue disease or any vascular disease. And conversely, many others with aneurysms may have a normal thumb test. Screening for aneurysm is done with imaging such as echocardiography, CT, or ultrasound ― not physical maneuvers,” as per a report by HuffPost.
He went on to say, “A positive result is nonspecific and may cause unnecessary anxiety, while a negative result may provide false reassurance to someone who actually has an aneurysm.”
“Over-reliance on it could delay proper screening or surveillance with imaging in high-risk individuals. In short, it should never replace formal medical evaluation or guideline-based aneurysm screening.”
Dr. Glenn Hirsch, head of cardiology at National Jewish Health, said the same thing: “There are other things that can cause aortic aneurysms in the chest, like high blood pressure, and this test would be less useful in that case.”
What do you do if your thumb test comes back positive?
Bonaca said, “If your thumb test comes back positive, you should talk to your doctor about whether this could mean you have a connective tissue disease and whether you should have more tests.” He said that doctors might do a full physical exam and order scans. “Doctors use imaging to find aneurysms, and guidelines say that people who are at risk should be tested for certain reasons,” as per a report by HuffPost.
Rambhatla said, “If someone with a positive thumb test also has features suggestive of Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos, or a family history of aneurysm or dissection, they should discuss it with a physician who may recommend formal evaluation and imaging of the aorta.” “If it’s an isolated finding in an otherwise healthy person, it usually does not warrant urgent concern but can be brought up at a routine medical visit for context.”
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What risk factors are more important than the thumb test?
Hirsch said that getting a medical checkup is still very important. He said, “Some of the risk factors for aortic aneurysms are being over 65, being a man, smoking, having high blood pressure, having connective tissue disorders, having a family history of aortic aneurysms, and having bicuspid aortic valves.”
Being double-jointed, having frequent joint dislocations, or even losing teeth early can also make people think they might have a connective tissue disorder.
Rambhatla concluded, “Ultimately, awareness of the thumb test can prompt useful conversations.” “But medical decision-making should always be guided by evidence-based screening and imaging.”
FAQsWhat does it mean if the thumb test is positive?
It could mean that the joints are loose because of connective tissue disorders that make aneurysms more likely.
Does a negative test mean you don’t have an aneurysm?
No, a lot of people with aneurysms get normal results. You need imaging to make a diagnosis.
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