An extensive new study has revealed that excessive amounts of visceral fat — the hidden fat stored deep within the abdomen and wrapped around vital organs — are linked to faster ageing of the heart. Although age is already the most significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the reasons why some people’s hearts age more quickly than others remain unclear. Researchers now suggest that visceral fat may play a central role in this process, making it a potential target for therapies aimed at protecting long-term heart health.
The investigation, led by scientists at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Medical Sciences in London, analysed body scans and health data from more than 21,000 participants in the UK Biobank. The study, published in the European Heart Journal, used advanced imaging to measure both the quantity and distribution of fat, as well as detailed scans of the heart and blood vessels. With the help of artificial intelligence, the team assessed these images for signs of organ ageing — such as stiffened or inflamed tissues — and assigned each participant a “heart age” to compare with their actual age.
The findings demonstrated a strong link between higher levels of visceral adipose tissue and accelerated ageing of the heart. Unlike the fat just beneath the skin, this type of fat is hidden from view, meaning that even people who appear slim or have a healthy body weight can carry dangerous amounts. Blood samples also showed that visceral fat is associated with raised levels of inflammation, which is thought to drive premature ageing across multiple organ systems.
The study also highlighted striking differences between men and women. Men with an “apple-shaped” pattern of fat — concentrated around the abdomen — were more likely to show signs of early heart ageing. By contrast, women with a “pear-shaped” distribution of fat — around the hips and thighs — tended to have a degree of protection against cardiovascular decline. In addition, premenopausal women with higher oestrogen levels showed slower heart ageing, suggesting that hormones may help explain sex-specific differences.
Professor Declan O’Regan, who led the research at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences and Imperial College London, said the results underscore the importance of understanding not just how much fat a person carries, but where it is stored. He noted that BMI was a poor predictor of heart age and added that even physically active individuals can be at risk if they carry large amounts of hidden visceral fat. Looking ahead, he and his team aim to investigate whether new drug treatments, such as GLP-1 inhibitors including Ozempic, might reduce the ageing effects of this fat in addition to helping with obesity and diabetes.
The Medical Research Council, the British Heart Foundation, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Imperial College Biomedical Research Centre funded the study. Professor Bryan Williams OBE, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, said the findings are concerning because excess visceral fat is already known to raise blood pressure and cholesterol. He added that future therapies may benefit from focusing on hormonal influences such as oestrogen. Still, he stressed that lifestyle choices remain vital: eating a healthier diet and becoming more active can both reduce visceral fat and help protect the heart from premature ageing.
More information: Vladimir Losev et al, Sex-specific body fat distribution predicts cardiovascular ageing, European Heart Journal. DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf553
Journal information: European Heart Journal Provided by UK Research and Innovation
