Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have developed a pioneering method to measure the ‘true age’ of the heart using MRI technology. Detailed in a published study, this breakthrough could transform how heart disease is diagnosed and managed. Rather than simply reflecting a person’s chronological age, this innovative approach calculates the heart’s ‘functional age’ – a measure of how well it performs relative to its biological age. The hope is that this technique will allow doctors to detect heart problems much earlier, providing a critical window for intervention before severe symptoms or life-threatening events occur.
Dr Pankaj Garg, the lead researcher from UEA’s Norwich Medical School and a consultant cardiologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, emphasises the potential impact of this work. “Imagine discovering that your heart is actually ‘older’ than you are,” he says. “For people living with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity, this is often the case. Our new MRI approach doesn’t just count birthdays – it measures how well your heart is holding up, providing a more accurate picture of cardiovascular health.” This new perspective on heart health could be particularly valuable for those with chronic conditions, as it offers a more precise assessment of the long-term strain on the heart.
The research involved collaboration with hospitals in the UK, Spain, and Singapore, where the team studied MRI scans from 557 people – 191 healthy individuals and 366 with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity. Using advanced imaging techniques, they measured key indicators of heart function, including the size and strength of the heart’s chambers. These measurements were then used to create a mathematical model calculating the heart’s functional age. This model was tested against the data from healthy hearts to ensure accuracy, providing a reliable method for assessing heart age.
The results were striking. In healthy individuals, the heart’s functional age typically matched their chronological age. However, for those with chronic health issues, the gap was often significant. Dr Garg notes, “For example, a 50-year-old with high blood pressure might have a heart that functions like it’s 55 or older. In some cases, the difference was even more pronounced, highlighting the accelerated aging that can occur with conditions like diabetes, obesity, or atrial fibrillation.” This finding underscores the critical importance of early detection and proactive management in preventing heart disease.
Dr Garg believes this approach could be a game changer for cardiovascular care. By providing a clearer, more accurate picture of heart health, this MRI method can potentially catch problems before they become severe, offering doctors a powerful tool to intervene early. “This is more than just a diagnostic breakthrough,” he says. “It’s a way to potentially add years to a person’s life by slowing down the heart’s ageing through lifestyle changes or medical treatments.”
Ultimately, this research could have far-reaching implications for public health. Encouraging individuals to take control of their heart health earlier may reduce the global burden of heart disease, one of the leading causes of death worldwide. As Dr Garg puts it, “Knowing your heart’s true age could be the wake-up call people need to take better care of themselves, whether eating healthier, exercising more, or following their doctor’s advice. It’s about giving people a fighting chance against heart disease and helping them live longer, healthier lives.”
More information: Pankaj Garg et al, Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging markers of ageing: a multi-centre, cross-sectional cohort study, European Heart Journal Open. DOI: 10.1093/ehjopen/oeaf032
Journal information: European Heart Journal Open Provided by University of East Anglia
