- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi, May 4: According to the research team, the new MRI-based method allows clinicians to more accurately assess the condition of a patient’s heart before the onset of symptoms. By examining details such as the size and pumping efficiency of the heart’s chambers, they developed a formula to calculate the heart’s functional age.
A new study led by Indian-origin researchers in the United Kingdom has found that unhealthy lifestyle habits can accelerate the ageing of the human heart, significantly raising the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The findings could lead to a breakthrough in how heart disease is diagnosed and prevented, the researchers say.
The study, conducted by scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA), used an advanced imaging technology known as Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) or cardiovascular MRI to assess what they call the “functional age” of the heart. This metric reflects how well a person’s heart is working compared to what is typical for their actual age.
The researchers examined MRI scans from 557 individuals, including 191 healthy participants and 366 with pre-existing health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, or atrial fibrillation. The study found that while the hearts of healthy individuals functioned in line with their chronological age, people suffering from these common conditions often had hearts that appeared significantly older.
“For example, a 50-year-old with high blood pressure might have a heart that functions like it’s 55,” explained Dr. Pankaj Garg, the lead author of the study. Dr. Garg is a consultant cardiologist at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and affiliated with UEA’s Norwich Medical School.
According to the research team, the new MRI-based method allows clinicians to more accurately assess the condition of a patient’s heart before the onset of symptoms. By examining details such as the size and pumping efficiency of the heart’s chambers, they developed a formula to calculate the heart’s functional age. This was then benchmarked against data from healthy hearts to verify its accuracy.
The implications are potentially transformative for cardiovascular medicine. “People with health issues like diabetes or obesity often have hearts that are ageing faster than they should — sometimes by decades,” said Dr. Garg. “This new method could help doctors intervene earlier to prevent heart disease before it becomes life-threatening.”
The research, which involved collaboration with hospitals in Spain and Singapore as well as the UK, could lead to a major shift in how cardiovascular health is monitored and managed. “It’s a game changer for keeping hearts healthier, longer,” said the team in a statement.
Dr. Garg also emphasized the broader significance of the findings. “This could be the wake-up call that people need to take better care of themselves — whether it’s through diet, exercise, or adhering to medical advice. The goal is to give people a fighting chance to avoid heart disease.”
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death globally. By offering a more precise and early diagnosis tool, this new approach could potentially save millions of lives. The study has been accepted for publication in the European Heart Journal Open.
