Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Individuals with conditions such as diabetes or obesity often experience accelerated aging of their hearts, sometimes by decades. Scientists have now developed an innovative method to determine the "true age" of the heart using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The study, led by the University of East Anglia (UEA, Norfolk, UK), demonstrated how an MRI scan can reveal the heart's functional age and how unhealthy lifestyle choices can significantly speed up this process. The researchers hope that this breakthrough could revolutionize the way heart disease is diagnosed, enabling early detection and offering the potential for intervention before conditions become life-threatening. The UEA-led team collaborated with hospitals in the UK, Spain, and Singapore. They analyzed MRI scans from 557 individuals—191 healthy participants and 366 with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity. Using advanced imaging techniques, they assessed various heart metrics such as the size and strength of the heart's chambers, and developed a formula to calculate the heart's "functional age." They then compared this to the heart age of healthy individuals to ensure the formula's accuracy.

The results showed that MRI scans can reveal the functional age of the heart—its "performance age" rather than the person's actual age. In healthy individuals, the heart's functional age was found to align with their chronological age. However, for those with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and atrial fibrillation, the functional age of their hearts was significantly higher. For instance, a 50-year-old with high blood pressure might have a heart that behaves like it's 55 years old. People suffering from diabetes or obesity often experience a faster rate of heart aging, sometimes by decades. This method could allow doctors to intervene early and potentially prevent the progression of heart disease. According to the research team, their pioneering approach is a "game changer."

“This is a game-changer for keeping hearts healthier, longer,” said lead researcher Dr. Pankaj Garg from UEA’s Norwich Medical School. “Our new MRI method gives doctors a powerful tool to look inside the heart like never before and spot trouble early - before symptoms even start. By knowing your heart’s true age, patients could get advice or treatments to slow down the aging process, potentially preventing heart attacks or strokes. It could also be the wake-up call people need to take better care of themselves - whether that’s eating healthier, exercising more, or following their doctor’s advice. It’s about giving people a fighting chance against heart disease." 

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