Contents:
- Medical Video: 10 Warning Signs Your Heart Isn't Working Properly
- What does gray hair have to do with the risk of heart disease?
- Does fast graying mean that you have heart disease?
- Other factors that can increase the risk of heart disease
Medical Video: 10 Warning Signs Your Heart Isn't Working Properly
Gray hair is one sign of natural aging that occurs in everyone. This need not be worried or covered up. However, if you are someone who is gray at a young age, you are more at risk of developing certain diseases later on. How can hair color determine a person's health? Find out the full answer below.
What does gray hair have to do with the risk of heart disease?
According to a new study, the faster a person gets gray the higher the risk of developing heart disease caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis itself is a term used to express narrowing or hardening of the arteries. If the arteries narrow or harden, there is a blockage so that the flow of blood throughout the body becomes jammed. The result is a variety, ranging from heart attacks to strokes.
The study, published at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology, saw a link between gray hair and the risk of heart disease. After conducting a series of health tests on hundreds of adult men, this study saw that those who have atherosclerosis (or at high risk of developing atherosclerosis) turn gray faster. In addition, the results of this study also found that graying people have larger calcium deposits in their arteries.
According to cardiologist Dr. Irini Samuel who heads this research, both atheroscleroris and gray hair are health conditions that are both driven by age. However, gray hair appears in middle age, meaning there is damage to pigment cells in the hair that is quite severe. The damage can be caused by inflammation, hormonal changes, cessation of cell growth and repair, and free radicals.
Meanwhile, atherosclerosis is also triggered by the same things. So, the researchers concluded that there was a close connection between faster graying hair and heart disease due to atherosclerosis.
Does fast graying mean that you have heart disease?
Although this latest study reveals the relationship between gray hair and the risk of heart disease, the link is not a fixed price. That is, not all people who get gray quickly must have heart disease. Because, further research is still needed to ensure that gray hair is faster is one of the symptoms of atherosclerosis. For example research on adult women.
There are other signs that must be observed if you suspect you have heart disease caused by atherosclerosis. These signs include high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
Other factors that can increase the risk of heart disease
Are you graying and worried about the risk of heart disease? Note that you have the following risk factors.
- Smoke
- Diabetes
- Overweight, especially at the waist
- Eat less fruits and vegetables
- Lack of exercise
- Descendants, for example parents have had atherosclerosis
If you have the risk factors above, you should immediately consult a doctor. Many people don't realize they have atherosclerosis until they suddenly have a heart attack or stroke. By checking immediately, you can make better decisions about your heart health.
