There are many little health checks people can do at home ― from checking your pulse to breast self-exams. But one that might be less familiar is the thumb test.
It’s a relatively simple maneuver, but it has the potential to reveal clues about a possible heart issue.
So what exactly does the “thumb test” entail and what should people know about it? Below, cardiologists break it down.
What is the thumb test?
“The thumb test is an easy test people can do to see if they are at increased risk for an aortic aneurysm,” preventative cardiologist Dr. Tracy Paeschke told HuffPost. “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.”
