What if you could learn that your heart is ageing faster than the rest of you? New research from the University of East Anglia in the UK has developed a tool that can tell you just that.
The tool could help doctors assess patients at risk of developing heart problems and guide them toward healthier choices.
How the Tool Works
The research team analyzed MRI scan data from 557 people across the UK, Spain, and Singapore. Among them were individuals with obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes. By measuring heart traits like the size of the heart’s chambers and how effectively it pumps blood, the researchers created a formula to determine the heart’s “functional age.”
Heart Age vs. Actual Age
On average, people with health conditions such as obesity or diabetes had hearts that were about 4.6 years older than their actual age. Those with obesity, in particular, showed even more significant heart aging. According to Dr. Pankaj Garg, the cardiologist leading the study, some people’s hearts are ageing faster by decades due to conditions like diabetes and obesity.
Limitations of the Study
While promising, the tool is not without limitations. It does not account for how long a person has had these health conditions, and the study included only people who lived with these issues into older age. This could lead to a bias known as “survivor bias.” Additionally, the study sample was small, so more research with a larger group of people is needed.
Conclusion
The new tool is an exciting step toward helping people take control of their heart health. By giving individuals a clearer picture of their heart’s condition, it could help doctors provide more effective treatments and prevent serious cardiovascular diseases.
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