Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the main causes of death in the UK.
According to the NHS, CVD affects around seven million people in the UK.
Increased levels of stress and medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are all common warning signs pertaining to a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease.
Interestingly though, there may be other red flags - including a man’s hairline.
As per previous research, loss of hair may mean loss of circulation, with a high correlation between top rear head balding and cardiovascular disease.
Health experts warn that for men who have a history for both cardiovascular disease and early hair loss, caution is strongly advised.
According to a previous study at the University of Tokyo, a man’s hairline may be an indicator of his risk to heart disease.
The research involved an integrated analysis of multiple surveys with around 37,000 participants.
It found that men suffering with severe male pattern baldness had a 32% higher risk for coronary heart disease compared to others.
Alopecia risk
It was also found that men suffering with androgenetic alopecia had an increased risk of coronary heart disease, with a 48% increase for the most severe cases of baldness.
Those with a receding forehead hairline alongside alopecia had a whopping 69% increased risk of coronary heart disease.
Chen Hsin Hung, a traditional Chinese medicine physician at Taiwan’s Joyful HAN Chinese Medicine Clinic, believes the reasons for the increased risk of coronary heart disease in bald people could be related to insulin resistance, diabetes, chronic inflammation or male hormone sensitivity.
However, more research is required for a more conclusive answer.
Prof Marco Roffi, head of the Interventional Cardiology Unit at Geneva University Hospital, said: "Assessment of risk factors is critical in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease.
"Classical risk factors, such as diabetes, family history of coronary disease, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, are responsible for the vast majority of cardiovascular disease.
"It remains to be determined whether potential new risk factors, like the ones described, may improve cardiovascular risk assessment."
Other lesser-known risk factors for heart disease
Potential red flags when it comes to increased risk for heart disease include:
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sleep apnoea
- High consumption of hard plastic food and beverage containers
- Marital stress.
How to boost hair regrowth
When it comes to a person’s diet to help reduce hair loss, Chen advises reducing the number of sweets, sodas and alcohol.
He also suggests adding in more dark vegetables and protein, which is said to help promote the growth of hair follicles.
Other lifestyle habits include getting enough sleep, quitting smoking and reducing the amount of stress in your life by practising more mindful techniques and getting enough exercise.
READ MORE:
'Taking antibiotics before going to the dentist could stop heart infections'
'You can take blood pressure pills any time of the day to improve your heart health'
'Measuring blood pressure in BOTH arms will benefit at-risk patients'
'Learning to play a musical instrument as a child boosts your brain function'
