For most men, going bald is frustrating; it may also be a health concern. In all our years in the hair regrowth treatment industry we’ve seen far too many clients suffer with medical conditions like heart disease, never realizing that one of the first signsis male hair loss. In fact, it is not just a symptom of heart disease, hair loss can be the first sign of about 30 different diseases, including thyroid disease and anemia. A study published in the journal BMJ Open found men with male patterned baldness had a higher risk of coronary heart disease, but only if it was vertex balding (hair loss on the top/crown of a man's head).
The Connection Between Hair Loss and Heart Disease
Younger Men at Higher Risk
According to the study, men who lost the majority of their hair on the crown were found to have a 32% increased risk for developing coronary artery disease, compared to their peers with a full head of hair. However, when researchers looked at extensive hair loss for men under the age of 55, they found younger men had a 44% increased probability for developing coronary artery disease. While balding men demonstrated a 70% higher risk of having heart disease, those in the younger age groups had an 84% increased chance.
Risk Linked to the Amount of Hair Loss
There is some good news for younger men. It would appear that the amount of vertex balding plays an important part in the level of risk a man had for developing coronary artery disease. The less hair loss, the lower the risk. The risk of developing coronary artery disease increased by:
- 48% with extensive vertex baldness
- 36% with moderate vertex baldness
- 18% with mild vertex baldness
A receding hairline did not show a significant impact on risk. However, men with both frontal and crown-top baldness were shown to have a 69% increased risk of developing coronary artery disease than those with a full head of hair. Men who experienced hair loss on only crown of their head had a 52% higher risk for developing the disease, and those with only frontal baldness were 22% more likely to develop heart disease. The reason for the connection between baldness and heart disease is not fully known. Some physicians think there may be a link between an increased sensitivity to male hormones, insulin resistance and inflammation of blood vessels that either directly or indirectly affect both the heart and hair.
Finding Answers
Hair loss can be caused by many things including medication, illness and family history. There are a lot of alternative treatments available for thinning hair, receding hairlines and hair loss or balding. Talking to a hair specialist can help you determine the best course of treatment. To learn more about hair loss and regrowth treatment options or to consult with a Capillus specialist in your area click here or call Capillus for more information at (786) 888 6249 or Toll-Free at 1 (888) 272-9599.