Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
11 April 2017 08:59
Scientists have suggested that going grey might be linked to heart disease
People who are beginning to notice signs of grey hair have more to worry about than their image.
That's according to a new study that suggests a link between grey hair and heart disease.
Researchers at Cairo University have linked hair whitening to a heightened risk of damage to arteries supplying the heart with blood.
They also suggested greying hair has a biological impact on coronary heart disease. These include impaired DNA repair, oxidative stress, inflammation, hormonal changes and the halting of cell growth.
More research needed
Researchers say in the future hair colour could provide an advanced warning as to whether someone was at risk of heart problems. Anyone who has suffered heart problems can arrange specialist medical travel insurance.
Experts at the British Heart Foundation however called for more research into any potential link and urged people worried about their heart health to see their GP.
A biological link?
More than 500 men who had been suspected of suffering coronary artery disease took part in the study. It found that those with grey hair had arteries that were more damaged. Those with more grey hair had an increased risk of coronary artery disease.
Dr Irini Samuel, a cardiologist at Cairo University in Egypt, said: "Atherosclerosis (artery disease) and hair greying occur through similar biological pathways and the incidence of both increases with age.
"Our findings suggest that, irrespective of chronological age, hair greying indicates biological age and could be a warning sign of increased cardiovascular risk."
Emily Reeve, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "A much larger study is needed before we start using hair colour as a measure of heart disease risk. If you're over 40 and worried about your heart health you should ask your GP for a free health check."
The research was presented at EuroPrevent 2017, the annual meeting of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology.
18 August 2017
Relatives of older people receiving NHS care have raised concerns over some of the treatment.
[more...]
17 August 2017
Older people are being "let down" when it comes to access to dental care, experts have warned.
16 August 2017
A charity has called for women who have been treated for breast cancer to be given better support once treatment ends.
15 August 2017
More people are being arrested over drunken behaviour on board flights and at airports, according to latest statistics.
12 August 2017
Labour has criticised the way in which cancer patients and their families have been treated under the Conservative Government.
11 August 2017
The precious metal, gold, is a familiar sight in jewellery adorning the body but it could also play a role in treating cancers that grow inside the body.
10 August 2017
Nashville is the capital of country and has for years attracted music-loving holidaymakers to its vibrant bars and venues.
09 August 2017
We've all seen self-driving cars in the news in recent years but would you step on board a passenger plane that didn't have a pilot?
08 August 2017
Marine experts have disagreed over the identity of the creatures that attacked the feet of a teenager who was relaxing in the sea in Australia.
05 August 2017
Medical bills which run into six-figure territory are "not uncommon" for British holidaymakers who end up needing emergency medical treatment abroad, travel insurers say.
04 August 2017
British Airways mixed fleet cabin crew will strike for a further two weeks this month, including the August bank holiday, in a long-running pay dispute.
03 August 2017
New analysis suggests that almost all men over 60 and women over 75 are eligible for the cholesterol-lowing drugs, statins.