Overview

• The peer-reviewed study of 21,241 UK Biobank participants used whole-body and cardiac MRI with AI to estimate heart age, with results published in the European Heart Journal.
• Higher levels of visceral adipose tissue were associated with faster cardiac aging, including in people who appear lean or are physically fit.
• Male-pattern abdominal fat predicted earlier heart aging in men, while fat on the hips and thighs in women correlated with slower aging alongside higher premenopausal estrogen levels.
• Blood biomarkers indicated greater systemic inflammation in those with more visceral fat, suggesting a potential mechanism for accelerated cardiovascular aging.
• Body mass index poorly predicted heart age, and the researchers plan to test whether lifestyle changes and GLP-1 drugs can mitigate visceral-fat–related aging effects.