Gray hair may be indicator of higher CAD risk

Men with gray hair had an increased risk for CAD, independent of CV risk factors and age, according to results presented at EuroPrevent 2017.

Researchers reviewed CT angiography images from 545 adult men for the diagnosis of CAD. Participants were categorized into groups based on their Hair Whitening Score, a 1 to 5 scale of the percentage of gray and white hair. They were also grouped according to the incidence of CAD.

Eighty percent of participants exhibited evidence of CAD, and 46.8% had three-vessel disease (mean age, 53 years). Those with CAD had a higher prevalence of diabetes (P = .001), hypertension (P = .001) and dyslipidemia (P = .003). Patients with CAD had statistically significant higher predominately white hair (60.1%; P < .001) and significant coronary artery calcification (P < .001).

After multivariate regression analysis, independent predictors of the existence of atherosclerotic CAD were Hair Whitening Score (OR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.09–1.57), age (OR = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.31–4.39), dyslipidemia (OR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.02–2.54) and hypertension (OR = 1.63; 95% CI, 1.03–2.58). Age was an independent predictor of gray hair (P < .001).

Irini Samuel

“Aging is an unavoidable coronary risk factor and is associated with dermatological signs that could signal increased risk,” Irini Samuel, MD, a cardiologist at Cairo University, said in a press release. “More research is needed on cutaneous signs of risk that would enable us to intervene earlier in the [CVD] process.” – by Darlene Dobkowski

Reference:

Elfaramawy A, et al. Abstract 760. Presented at: EuroPrevent; April 6-8, 2017; Malaga, Spain.

Disclosure: Samuel reports no relevant financial disclosures.