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Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have developed a groundbreaking MRI technique that reveals the "true age" of the heart, uncovering how unhealthy lifestyles can accelerate heart ageing. Published in the Open European Heart Journal, the study, led by Dr. Pankaj Garg, uses advanced MRI scans to assess the heart's functional age, which can differ from a person’s chronological age. For individuals with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity, their heart may function much older than their actual age, with some experiencing heart ageing by decades.
The study analysed MRI scans from 557 individuals, including both healthy people and those with heart-related conditions. The findings showed that people with these conditions often have hearts that age faster. For example, a 50-year-old with high blood pressure could have a heart that functions as if it were 55. This discovery could provide doctors with an early warning system to diagnose and treat heart disease before symptoms appear, potentially preventing heart attacks and strokes.
The researchers hope that this MRI technique will become a routine check-up tool, offering people the opportunity to make lifestyle changes and slow down heart ageing. This method has the potential to save lives by detecting problems early and guiding patients towards better heart health. The research was supported by Wellcome and involved collaboration with several international institutions, including hospitals in the UK, Spain, and Singapore.
