Think you're young? New science reveals how your heart is ageing faster than you
Heart health has become one of the most important aspects of the modern lifestyle as a surprising jump in heart-related ailments and deaths is noted globally.A new MRI scan has now revealed the possibility of pinpointing the accurate age of the heart and scientists have noted it's not the same as our age.Scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have unveiled a new way of uncovering the 'true age' of your heart using MRI, offering a lifeline to millions by catching problems before they become deadly.
The team has now developed a new formula to calculate the heart's functional age. (Photo: Getty)
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'Imagine finding out that your heart is 'older' than you are. For people with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity, this is often the case," said Dr Pankaj Garg, from UEA's Norwich Medical School and a consultant cardiologist.The team studied MRI scans from 557 people - 191 healthy individuals and 366 with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity. They then used advanced imaging to measure things like the size and strength of the heart's chambers.The team has now developed a new formula to calculate the heart's 'functional age' and checked it against healthy hearts to make sure it was accurate.'Our new MRI approach doesn't just count your birthdays - it measures how well your heart is holding up. We found that an MRI scan can reveal your heart's 'functional age' - how old it acts, not how old you are," Dr Garg added. advertisementThe team discovered that in healthy people the heart age was similar to chronological age. But for patients with things like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and atrial fibrillation – their functional heart age was significantly higher.'People with health issues like diabetes or obesity often have hearts that are ageing faster than they should - sometimes by decades. So, this could help doctors step in early to stop heart disease in its tracks. This is a game-changer for keeping hearts healthier, longer," Dr Garg added.Recent data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) revealed a significant 12.5% rise in heart attack cases in 2022 alone raising big concerns.Must Watch
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