Bald young men at higher risk of heart disease, study claims

Researchers say men who go bald or have grey hairs at a young age are more likely to have heart disease.

According to the study, both male-pattern baldness and premature greying pose a stronger risk factor for heart disease than obesity.

Sachin Patil, researcher of the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre in India, said: “The incidence of coronary artery disease in young men is increasing but cannot be explained by traditional risk factors.

“Premature greying and androgenic alopecia – or male-pattern baldness – correlate well with vascular age irrespective of chronological age and are plausible risk factors for coronary artery disease.”

To arrive at the findings, an analysis was carried out on 790 men with coronary artery disease under the age of 40, and 1,270 age-matched healthy men.

The participants went through electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, blood tests, and coronary angiogram, after which they were scored based on levels of male-pattern baldness and grey hair.

Researchers found that young men with coronary artery disease were significantly more likely to be prematurely grey or balding than the healthy individuals.

Also, male-pattern baldness was associated with six times greater risk of coronary artery disease while premature greying was associated with a higher risk, five times more.