Baldness and early gray hair are associated with a five times greater risk of coronary heart disease in men under 40. Should we be worried?
Does baldness increase the risk of heart disease? This is what several studies seem to suggest, the results of which deserve to be put into perspective.
A first combined analysis of 6 studies and 40,000 men, carried out in the United States and in Europe (meta-analysis), found this association (BMJ Open): Men who had lost most of their hair had a statistical 32% higher risk than others of developing coronary heart disease. But the risk exists only if the baldness predominated on the tonsure and not on the temples.
In another study, which included 790 men under the age of 40 with coronary artery disease and 1,270 healthy men. Researchers found that young men with coronary artery disease had premature hair graying (50% vs. 30%) and early baldness (49% vs. 27%) more often compared to healthy controls. Early baldness and premature gray hair would be the strongest predictors of coronary artery disease in young men, ahead of obesity.
Genetics of baldness
The risk of baldness is primarily linked to genetic factors: 287 is the number of genetic regions associated with alopecia and baldness in men according to a British study of 52,000 men and published in PLoS Genetics. An impressive number of genes, which considerably widens the field of knowledge and hypotheses. Because until now, the genetic variants involved were poorly known, with the notable exception of the AR gene, which doubles the risk of total hair loss.
Most of the genetic variations identified are related to the structure of the hair and its development, the hair loss itself could be caused by hormonal changes. This is because genes are often located on the X chromosome, which men inherit from their mothers, and are linked to androgen receptors.
Genes shared with other diseases
These are the many genes that should be studied because they could be shared with cardiovascular disease, as with other diseases, such as prostate cancer.
Men who have baldness at the top of the forehead and the onset of tonsure also have a 40% increased risk of developing an aggressive form of prostate cancer compared to those without hair loss. This is what emerges from a study by the National Cancer Institute in the United States of 39,070 men.
This is not the first time that the existence of such a link has been suggested, but this study already provides a first clue to explain this association: prostate cancer and hair loss are associated with androgen levels and of their receivers.
Early cardiovascular disease in practice
The incidence of coronary heart disease is increasing in young men and it cannot be fully explained by traditional risk factors. Premature aging and androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) correlate well with vascular age regardless of chronological age. They are plausible risk factors for coronary heart disease.
However, these two criteria are not everything: according to various studies, 30% to 40% of adult men suffer from baldness, a rate that can reach 80% at the age of 80, figures much higher than those of diseases. cardiovascular clinics.
It is therefore clear that premature alopecia, or gray hair, are not major cardiovascular risk factors. Classic risk factors such as diabetes, a family history of cardiovascular disease, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure remain responsible for the vast majority of cardiovascular disease.
Young men, when they are bald or have gray hair, should receive more careful monitoring for risk factors for coronary heart disease, as well as advice on lifestyle changes and stress management. It is more important to pay attention to your waistline than your hair!
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