Grey Hair May Signal Higher Heart Disease Risk

Author: European Society of Cardiology
Published: 2017/04/13 - Updated: 2025/12/21
Publication Type: Research, Study, Analysis
Category Topic: Cardiovascular - Related Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This research presents findings from a prospective observational study of 545 men that assessed the relationship between grey hair and coronary artery disease. The work is noteworthy because it comes from established researchers in cardiovascular medicine presenting to the European Society of Cardiology, lending credibility to the investigation. The study found that significant hair greying was associated with increased coronary artery disease risk independent of age and traditional cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension and smoking. This is particularly useful for readers because it suggests a visible, observable indicator that might prompt earlier medical screening, especially for those without obvious symptoms or conventional risk factors. The finding that hair greying and atherosclerosis share similar biological pathways offers a practical tool for healthcare conversations and personal health awareness, which could benefit anyone concerned about their cardiovascular health or those seeking non-invasive early warning signs - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

Grey hair has been linked with an increased risk of heart disease in men, in research presented at EuroPrevent.

"Ageing is an unavoidable coronary risk factor and is associated with dermatological signs that could signal increased risk," said Dr Irini Samuel, a cardiologist at Cairo University, Egypt. "More research is needed on cutaneous signs of risk that would enable us to intervene earlier in the cardiovascular disease process."

Main Content

Atherosclerosis and hair greying share similar mechanisms such as impaired DNA repair, oxidative stress, inflammation, hormonal changes and senescence of functional cells. This study assessed the prevalence of grey hair in patients with coronary artery disease and whether it was an independent risk marker of disease.

This was a prospective, observational study which included 545 adult men who underwent multi-slice computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease. Patients were divided into subgroups according to the presence or absence of coronary artery disease, and the amount of grey/white hair.

The amount of grey hair was graded using the hair whitening score:

1 - Pure black hair
2 - Black more than white
3 - Black equals white
4 - White more than black
5 - Pure white

Each patients' grade was determined by two independent observers.

Data was collected on traditional cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia, and family history of coronary artery disease.

The researchers found that a high hair whitening score (grade 3 or more) was associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease independent of chronological age and established cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with coronary artery disease had a statistically significant higher hair whitening score and higher coronary artery calcification than those without coronary artery disease.

In multivariate regression analysis, age, hair whitening score, hypertension and dyslipidemia were independent predictors of the presence of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Only age was an independent predictor of hair whitening.

"Atherosclerosis and hair greying occur through similar biological pathways and the incidence of both increases with age," said Dr Samuel. "Our findings suggest that, irrespective of chronological age, hair greying indicates biological age and could be a warning sign of increased cardiovascular risk."

Dr Samuel said asymptomatic patients at high risk of coronary artery disease should have regular check-ups to avoid early cardiac events by initiating preventive therapy.

"Further research is needed, in coordination with dermatologists, to learn more about the causative genetic and possible avoidable environmental factors that determine hair whitening," she added. "A larger study including men and women is required to confirm the association between hair greying and cardiovascular disease in patients without other known cardiovascular risk factors."

She concluded:

"If our findings are confirmed, standardization of the scoring system for evaluation of hair greying could be used as a predictor for coronary artery disease."

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: While the biological link between hair greying and coronary disease is intriguing, the research also underscores an important reality: appearance alone cannot diagnose heart disease. Dr. Samuel's own conclusion - that larger studies including both men and women are needed - reflects the scientific caution required here. What makes this work valuable isn't that you should panic if your hair turns grey, but rather that it may serve as one conversation starter with your doctor about whether your cardiovascular risk warrants closer monitoring, especially if combined with other markers. The real takeaway is that our bodies often communicate in multiple ways, and paying attention to visible changes as part of a broader health assessment remains sound medical thinking - Disabled World (DW).