6 Signs of Heart Disease That May Appear on the Face: From Earlobe Creases to Facial Redness

5. Persistent Dry or Chapped Lips: What Could They Mean?

Dry, cracked or peeling lips are extremely common and, in most cases, have nothing to do with heart disease. Cold weather, dehydration, wind, excessive sun exposure, frequent lip licking and irritation from cosmetics or toothpaste are much more common explanations.

However, persistent changes around the mouth can sometimes be associated with nutritional deficiencies or other medical conditions.

This is why it is important not to automatically interpret dry lips as a sign of heart disease.

Can vitamin deficiencies cause cracked lips?

Yes. Certain nutritional deficiencies can contribute to changes involving the lips, mouth and surrounding skin.

Nutrients that are important for healthy skin and normal metabolism include:

Vitamin B12 and folate are particularly important in the body’s processing of homocysteine, an amino acid found in the blood.

Elevated homocysteine levels have been studied as a possible cardiovascular risk marker, although the relationship is complex and lowering homocysteine does not necessarily eliminate cardiovascular risk.

This means that chapped lips should not be used as a way to diagnose vitamin deficiency or heart disease.

When should persistent chapped lips be evaluated?

If your lips remain cracked for several weeks despite using a gentle moisturizer and avoiding obvious triggers, consider speaking with a healthcare professional.

Persistent symptoms may require evaluation for:

The appearance of the lips alone cannot determine whether the cardiovascular system is healthy.

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August 30, 2026 | 10:23 pm