Early warning signs in your hands that could indicate heart disease or lung cancer

Your hands can reveal a lot about you, from the hardness and callouses formed through years of physical work to the softness that comes with a life of ease. However, they can also indicate the onset of serious health issues, such as heart disease and lung cancer.

Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in the UK after dementia, claiming over 60,000 lives each year due to related conditions. While genetics can influence the likelihood of developing heart disease, early detection can lead to preventative measures like dietary changes or medication.

Lung cancer, the fifth leading cause of death in the UK, prematurely claims the lives of 95 individuals daily. Besides quitting smoking to reduce your risk of developing lung cancer or mesothelioma, early symptom detection and consultation with your GP can increase survival rates by up to 20 times.

READ MORE: GPs could be heading out on strike - when and why

Even though your hands are far from the core of these health issues, they can exhibit various symptoms indicating something seriously wrong within your body. While most of these signs can be harmless, there are certain indications of ill health that should always be brought to the attention of a medical professional.

Alterations in the shape or colour of your fingers can signify a range of conditions, many of which are harmless, but some can be life-threatening. If your fingers or tendons begin to swell, it might be time to consult your doctor, reports Gloucestershire Live.

When the tips of your fingers or toes begin to swell and the skin around your nails becomes glossy, this is referred to as finger clubbing, digital clubbing, or sometimes Hippocratic fingers. As the top of the digit swells, clubbing often