@doctor.asky: Hidden belly fat may quietly age the heart faster than expected. A new study analyzed scans from more than twenty one thousand people and found that the fat you cannot see which is visceral fat wrapped around the organs deep inside your belly may actually speed up how quickly your heart grows old. Scientists used imaging and artificial intelligence to compare a persons heart age which reflects how worn out the heart looks with their real age. They discovered that higher levels of visceral fat were linked with signs of stiffening and inflammation in both the heart and the blood vessels. One surprising finding was that body mass index did not predict heart aging very well. A person can look slim on the outside yet still carry harmful internal fat that quietly stresses the heart. The study also noticed differences between men and women. Men who tend to carry fat around the belly which creates an apple shaped body showed faster heart aging. Women who usually carry more fat around the hips and thighs which creates a pear shaped body seemed to have some natural protection. Scientists believe estrogen may help provide that protection before menopause. Even people who exercise regularly might still be at risk if they have high visceral fat. The researchers suggest that reducing this hidden fat could help slow the aging of the heart. They are now exploring whether medications commonly used for diabetes or weight management could help target this internal fat and protect long term heart health. Research Paper 📄 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf553 #science #biology
