Cardiology
Every heartbeat tells a story, and cardiologists listen carefully to diagnose, treat, and protect the rhythm of life.
An 80-year-old man was referred from ophthalmology for bilateral retinal hemorrhages. He complained of “tired eyes,” not vision loss.
I suspected anemia or leukemia—but his ECG was concerning. A troponin check showed elevated levels. Further testing revealed severe aortic stenosis.
His eye signs were from vascular fragility and venous congestion. He underwent TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement), and within months, his eye symptoms and energy returned.
The Lesson Learned
Don’t ignore vague ocular complaints in elderly patients. They may reflect deep systemic dysfunction—sometimes cardiac in origin.
