David Beckham, a global icon both on and off the football field, has long been admired not only for his athletic achievements but also for his polished public image. However, a subtle physical detail recently observed by a medical expert has sparked an unexpected conversation around the football legend’s health — particularly concerning cardiovascular risk factors. According to Dr. Rokas Šerpytis, a distinguished Lithuanian cardiologist and professor with decades of experience in cardiovascular medicine, Beckham appears to exhibit a diagonal crease on his right earlobe — a feature commonly known in medical literature as Frank’s Sign or Diagonal Earlobe Crease (DELC).
This seemingly benign detail, visible in high-resolution photographs, caught Dr. Šerpytis’s attention not for cosmetic reasons, but because of what it might signify. Frank’s Sign has, in several studies spanning decades, been associated with atherosclerosis — a potentially serious condition involving the buildup of fatty substances (plaques) inside the arteries, which can impede blood flow and ultimately lead to coronary artery disease, heart attacks, or strokes.
The Subtle Clue and Its Implications
First identified in a 1973 study by American physician Dr. Sanders T. Frank, the diagonal earlobe crease was initially observed in 20 patients, many of whom suffered from significant heart conditions. The crease typically runs diagonally from the tragus to the lower edge of the earlobe and is visible even in casual portraits. Since then, a body of observational research has grown, with some studies suggesting that DELC may serve as a dermatological indicator of underlying heart disease — particularly in older adults.
Most recently, a 2021 study conducted at Oxford University referred to DELC as a “useful clinical sign” and a “dermatological marker for coronary artery disease.” The paper described the crease as extending “backwards from the tragus (the small projection in front of the ear canal) at a 45-degree angle across the lobule to the edge of the auricle.” Although the association has been made in medical literature, the same study also emphasized that the link is not conclusively diagnostic, meaning that while DELC may appear in patients with heart disease, its presence alone is not sufficient to confirm or predict cardiovascular pathology.
Looking at Beckham’s Family History
After noticing the crease, Dr. Šerpytis was prompted to conduct a deeper investigation into David Beckham’s familial predisposition to heart conditions. His research led him to discover that Beckham’s father, David Edward Alan Beckham, had suffered a heart attack in September 2007 at the age of 59. According to media reports from that time, Beckham Sr. was rushed to the hospital and underwent a surgical procedure to unblock coronary arteries. His condition was later reported as stable.
“I didn’t contact Beckham personally or inquire whether he has undergone cardiovascular screening,” Dr. Šerpytis clarified. “However, from a clinical perspective, it made sense to explore family medical history. When I searched ‘Beckham father heart attack’ online, I found news articles confirming the event.”
The discovery of both a possible physical marker and a known family history of cardiovascular disease lends some weight to the doctor’s hypothesis. From a clinical standpoint, the presence of DELC in conjunction with genetic predisposition may warrant preventive health screening, particularly in individuals aged 50 and above — a demographic statistically more vulnerable to heart-related conditions.
Expert Opinions Are Divided
Despite these findings, not all cardiologists place confidence in the diagnostic value of Frank’s Sign. In fact, Dr. Paul D. Thompson, Chief Cardiologist-Emeritus at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut and a recognized authority on preventive cardiology, expresses significant skepticism.
Speaking to media outlet Bored Panda, Dr. Thompson stated that while he recalls the topic being introduced during his medical school years between 1973 and 1975, he does not actively consider DELC a meaningful indicator in clinical practice.
“I don’t personally look for it in patients,” he said. “I don’t document it in medical records. And I believe there are far more accurate and reliable measures of cardiovascular risk — such as lipid panels, blood pressure monitoring, coronary calcium scoring, and stress tests.”
He continued, “I’ve never been able to identify a physiological mechanism linking the crease to coronary artery disease. It could just be a correlation without causation. Until a causal link is established, I don’t see it as medically actionable.”
Aging, Risk, and Preventive Care
As David Beckham turned 50 years old this year, this conversation arrives at an important moment. Statistically, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases significantly for individuals in their 50s and beyond, especially for those with a family history of heart issues or lifestyle risk factors such as high cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, or a sedentary lifestyle.
Interestingly, the prevalence of DELC increases with age: studies have shown that approximately 20% of individuals under the age of 40 have a diagonal earlobe crease, while it is present in nearly 75% of those over the age of 60. Yet, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about 10% of those people are ultimately diagnosed with heart disease — indicating that the sign, while potentially noteworthy, is not in itself a reliable predictor.
Nonetheless, Dr. Šerpytis stands by his recommendation.
“David Beckham is now 50 years old. This is an age where it becomes crucially important to undergo regular medical screenings, monitor cardiovascular risk factors, and make lifestyle adjustments if necessary. Whether or not the earlobe crease is relevant, the broader message remains: prevention and early detection save lives.”
Conclusion: A Sign Worth Noticing – But Not Fearing
While the debate continues among cardiologists and researchers, the discussion surrounding David Beckham and Frank’s Sign underscores a larger public health takeaway: subtle physical features may sometimes reflect deeper health conditions, but no single indicator should be used in isolation to draw conclusions. In the case of Beckham, it serves as a reminder — even for the seemingly healthiest among us — that age, family history, and vigilance should guide proactive healthcare decisions.
And whether the crease is a meaningful marker or merely a coincidental feature, it’s safe to say that a comprehensive medical checkup is never a bad idea — especially when you reach a milestone age like 50.