Men under 40 years of age who are going bald and greying prematurely may be at five-fold risk of developing heart disease, finds a study. The findings showed that both male-pattern baldness and premature greying were stronger risk factors than obesity, which was associated with a four-fold risk of early heart disease.
While diabetes mellitus, hypertension, family history of premature coronary artery disease, central obesity, higher body mass index, dyslipidaemia and smoking were predictors of coronary artery disease it was to a lesser extent than male-pattern baldness, premature greying, and obesity, the researchers said. Are there any benefits to balding?
The young men with coronary artery disease were found with a higher prevalence of premature greying (50 percent versus 30 percent) and male-pattern baldness (49 percent versus 27 percent) compared to people without the condition.
For the study, presented at the 69th Annual Conference of the Cardiological Society of India (CSI) in Kolkata, the team included 790 men aged less than 40 years with coronary artery disease and 1,270 age-matched healthy men who acted as a control group.
After adjusting for age and other cardiovascular risk factors, male-pattern baldness was associated with a 5.6 times greater risk of coronary artery disease and premature greying was associated with a 5.3 times greater risk. What are the causes of baldness in men?
Male-pattern baldness and premature greying were the strongest predictors of coronary artery disease in men followed by obesity, which was associated with a 4.1 times greater risk.
“Our study found associations but a causal relationship needs to be established before statins can be recommended for men with baldness or premature greying,” noted Dhammdeep Humane, Cardiologist, from the hospital.
Source: IANS
Image source: Shutterstock
