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Norwich, UK – May 2, 2025 – Scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have unveiled a groundbreaking MRI method that can determine the “true age” of a person’s heart, offering fresh hope for early detection and prevention of heart disease. The research, soon to be published in the European Heart Journal Open, demonstrates how unhealthy lifestyles can accelerate heart aging by years or even decades.
A Game-Changer for Heart Health
The study, led by Dr. Pankaj Garg of UEA’s Norwich Medical School, analyzed MRI scans from 557 participants across the UK, Spain, and Singapore. The group included 191 healthy individuals and 366 people with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity.
By using advanced imaging to assess the size and strength of the heart’s chambers, the researchers developed a formula to calculate each person’s “functional heart age.” This measurement reflects how well the heart is performing compared to what is expected for someone’s chronological age.
“Imagine finding out that your heart is ‘older’ than you are,” said Dr. Garg. “For people with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity, this is often the case. Our new MRI approach doesn’t just count your birthdays-it measures how well your heart is holding up.”
The Impact of Lifestyle on Heart Aging
The findings were stark: while healthy individuals’ heart ages matched their actual ages, those with chronic health issues often had hearts that appeared significantly older. For example, a 50-year-old with high blood pressure might have a heart that functions like that of a 55-year-old. In some cases, the heart’s “functional age” was decades ahead of the person’s real age.
“People with health issues like diabetes or obesity often have hearts that are aging faster than they should-sometimes by decades,” Dr. Garg explained. “This could help doctors step in early to stop heart disease in its tracks.”
Early Detection and Prevention
This new MRI method could revolutionize how doctors identify and manage heart disease. By revealing the heart’s true age, physicians can advise patients on lifestyle changes or treatments to slow down the aging process, potentially preventing heart attacks or strokes.
Ph.D. student Hosam Assadi, also from UEA, added, “It’s thrilling to see how this MRI technique could change lives. We’ve found a way to spot hearts that are aging too fast, and that could mean catching problems early enough to fix them. I hope this could become a standard check-up for hearts in the future.”
Collaborative Effort
The research was a collaboration between UEA, several UK hospitals, the National Heart Research Institute Singapore, Hospital San Juan de Dios in Spain, Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and others.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and is based on research findings published in the European Heart Journal Open and reported by Medical Xpress. It should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health regimen or interpreting medical test results.
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