Have you ever seen a diagonal line running across an earlobe? Although it may look like simply a wrinkle, there is a curious medical sign known as “Frank’s sign” that has been studied for decades because of its possible connection to cardiovascular disease.
The mark consists of a diagonal crease running across the earlobe. Interest increased recently after some photographs of Leonardo DiCaprio showed a similar line, leading users and professionals to wonder whether it could be this sign. However, having this crease does not mean that a person has heart disease.
The sign was described in 1973 by American physician Saunders T. Frank, and since then numerous studies have investigated its possible relationship with cardiovascular disease. Some research has found an association with risk factors and heart disease.
But there is an important detail: the scientific evidence remains controversial. A systematic review concluded that the accuracy of Frank’s sign is not sufficient to use it as a diagnostic test on its own.
Therefore, if you find this line on your own ear, it does not automatically mean that there is a cardiac problem. At most, it is a sign that may draw attention to the importance of knowing and controlling other cardiovascular risk factors.