Cardiology Gray hair indicates increased cardiovascular risk

Relationship between gray hair and cardiovascular disease risk
Gray hair can - at least in men - point to an increased cardiovascular risk. This was shown by a new study by the University of Cairo. Gray hairs are thus a clear sign of coronary risk factors.

The amount of gray hair was classified according to a "Whitening Score": 1 = pure black hair, 2 = black more than white, 3 = black and white evenly distributed, 4 = white more than black and 5 = pure white. Data were also collected on traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidaemia (fat metabolism disorder) and the presence of coronary heart disease in the family.

Brightening of hair in CHD patients stronger
In the analysis, the researchers found that high levels of hair lightening (grade 3 or greater) were associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, regardless of age of the subjects and other cardiovascular risk factors. "Patients with coronary artery disease showed statistically significantly higher hair whitening and greater coronary artery calcifications than subjects without coronary artery disease," Dr. Samuel.

Similar biological mechanisms are the cause of the relationship
The researchers attribute the relationship between the appearance of gray hair and the risk of CHD to the mechanisms that are similar in arteriosclerosis and hair graying. In both cases, there is impaired DNA repair, oxidative stress, inflammation, hormonal changes and senescence of functional cells (senescence = cessation of cell division after a certain number of successful divisions). Samuel. "Atherosclerosis and hair graying occur through similar biological mechanisms, and the incidence of both increases with age," the cardiologist continued.

Checkups for people with gray hair?
The study results show, according to Dr. Samuel pointed out that gray hair could be a warning sign of increased cardiovascular risk. Although further studies are needed to determine more about the genetic causes and possible preventable environmental factors of hair lightening, a larger sample of men and women would need to consider the association between gray hair and cardiovascular disease in patients without other known cardiovascular risk factors to confirm. But the established connections are relatively clear. "If our findings are confirmed, standardization could be used as a predictor of coronary heart disease using a scoring system to assess gray hair," Dr. Samuel.

Identified risk patients could then go to regular check-ups and, if necessary, take preventive therapeutic measures. (Fp)