Are dark circles under eyes related to heart problems?

Author: Selmer Pacocha  |  Last update: Thursday, December 4, 2025

A:Dark under-eye circles are more often a sign of a sleepless night or allergies than a serious health problem. But in some cases, under eye skin discoloration may indicate a heart or kidney problem. See your doctor if you are concerned about dark under-eye circles or other symptoms.

What health problems cause dark circles under eyes?

It is possible, though, for the appearance of darker skin in the area under the eyes to arise from an existing health problem. This can include asthma, allergies, poor circulation, hormonal shifts, malnutrition, anemia and diseases that affect the liver or kidneys.

What do eyes look like with heart problems?

Every blood vessel in the body feels the effects of high blood pressure, and the tiny blood vessels in the white of the eyes can burst, making them look bloodshot. High blood pressure can also cause blood clots, damage to the retina, visual changes, vision loss and headaches.

What organs cause dark circles under eyes?

Smoking, eating a lot of salty foods, taking certain medications, and having medical conditions affecting the thyroid, kidneys, liver, or heart can all lead to swelling or fluid retention. This can cause blood vessels under the eyes to expand, leading to dark circles.

What are dark circles an indicator of?

If you have dark circles under your eyes, it's probably just a sign of aging, lack of sleep or another common cause. It's usually not caused by a medical problem. But if you have a dark circle or swelling under just one eye, call a healthcare provider.

A Dermatologist reveals why you get dark circles under your eyes | SELF IMPROVED

What deficiency causes dark circles?

What Deficiency Causes Dark Eye Circles on Skin? Vitamin deficiencies that are associated with dark circles include vitamins E, D, K vitamin, A, and B12. In addition to that, iron deficiency is also a root cause of dark circles.

Do dark circles under eyes mean liver problems?

Dark circles under the eyes can be a sign of liver disease, as they are often caused by poor liver function. The liver is responsible for filtering toxins from the blood, and when it is unable to do so, it can result in a build-up of toxins in the body.

Does heart problems cause dark circles under eyes?

A:Dark under-eye circles are more often a sign of a sleepless night or allergies than a serious health problem. But in some cases, under eye skin discoloration may indicate a heart or kidney problem. See your doctor if you are concerned about dark under-eye circles or other symptoms.

What cancers cause dark circles under eyes?

The most common signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma include:
  • a lump in the abdomen.
  • a feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen.
  • bulging of the eyes.
  • dark circles around the eyes.
  • bone pain.
  • low levels of all 3 types of blood cells (called pancytopenia)
  • lumps or bumps in the skin that are sometimes blue.
  • diarrhea.

Do dark circles under eyes mean kidney problems?

Over time, toxins begin to accumulate in the body. People with chronic kidney disease often have dark circles under their eyes. Thus, dark circles are an important symptom to watch out for due to the possibility of kidney disease. The only thing we need to do to keep our kidneys in good health is to detoxify them.

What are the signs of heart failure in the face?

These include thinning or grey hair, wrinkles, ear lobe crease, xanthelasmata (small, yellow deposits of cholesterol underneath the skin, usually around the eyelids) and arcus corneae (fat and cholesterol deposits that appear as a hazy white, grey or blue opaque ring in the outer edges of the cornea).

What do eyes look like with kidney problems?

During early-stage kidney disease, your eyes may experience subtle changes that are only detectable by eye doctors during routine eye exams. These changes can include retinal vascular changes, hard exudates, cotton wool spots, and papilledema.

Why do cardiologists look at your neck?

During a jugular venous pressure assessment, a physician or other health care provider checks the distention of the jugular veins in the neck to determine how high blood is rising within the veins. As pressure inside an unhealthy heart's right atrium increases, the height of the jugular venous distention will rise, Dr.

Why am I randomly getting dark circles?

Dark circles under the eyes happen when the skin beneath both eyes becomes darker than usual. Dark circles under the eyes are usually more noticeable when you're tired. Other lifestyle factors that may contribute to dark circles under the eyes are smoking, drinking too much alcohol and stress.

What autoimmune disease causes dark circles under eyes?

There are several types of lupus, including systemic lupus erythematosus — the most common type — and cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which affects only the skin. If you suspect a connection between the dark circles under your eyes and your lupus diagnosis, you could be right.

Does low iron cause dark circles?

The following symptoms of iron deficiency in the eyes may occur: Dark circles under the eyes. Burning or painful eyes. Blurred vision.

When should I be worried about dark circles under my eyes?

Dark circles under the eyes usually aren't a medical problem. If you notice changes under just one eye that get worse over time, talk to a healthcare professional. If you want to improve the look of the under-eye area, you might try makeup and home remedies.

What is the number one cause of dark circles under eyes?

Some of the most common causes of dark circles under the eyes are:
  • Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
  • Contact dermatitis.
  • Fatigue.
  • Genetics.
  • Rubbing or scratching your eyes.
  • Skin changes that happen with aging.
  • Changes in skin color. ...
  • Sun exposure.

What are the first signs of leukemia in blood work?

Abnormal levels of white blood cells and abnormally low red blood cell or platelet counts can also indicate leukemia. If you test positive for leukemia, your doctor will perform a biopsy of your bone marrow to determine which type you have. Treatment depends on your age, general health, and type of leukemia.

Can your eyes show signs of heart disease?

Sudden vision changes such as blurriness, dark areas, or shadows could be a blockage in an eye blood vessel, which can foreshadow a more serious stroke in the brain. And growing evidence hints that subtle, early damage to tiny blood vessels in the eyes may predict cardiovascular disease.

What are four signs of cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy symptoms can include:
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing with activity or even at rest.
  • Chest pain, especially after physical activity or heavy meals.
  • Heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding or fluttering.
  • Swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, stomach area and neck veins.

What do feet look like with heart failure?

Blood often backs up and causes fluid to build up in the lungs and in the legs. The fluid buildup can cause shortness of breath and swelling of the legs and feet. Poor blood flow may cause the skin to look blue or gray.

What do liver eyes look like?

If there are symptoms of liver disease, they may include: Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice. Yellowing of the skin might be harder to see on Black or brown skin.

What is your body lacking when you have dark circles?

Iron Deficiency

Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by anemia, which makes the skin look pale and the area around the eyes look darker. The most common cause of anemia is from not getting enough iron in the diet to make the right amount of red blood cells the body needs.

What medications cause dark circles under the eyes?

Certain medications, like bimatoprost or oral contraceptives, can also cause dark circles under the eyes.

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