Certain patterns of body fat, shared across sexes and unique to men or women, are strongly linked to how the heart and blood vessels age, according to new research published Aug. 22 in the European Heart Journal.
The study, led by Vladimir Losev, Ph.D., of Imperial College London, analyzed data from more than 21,000 participants in the U.K. Biobank. Using machine learning, the team estimated “cardiovascular age” based on 126 imaging-derived measures of vascular function, cardiac motion, and myocardial fibrosis.
They then compared these estimates with actual age to calculate an “age-delta,” reflecting accelerated or slowed cardiovascular aging.
Results showed that in both men and women, higher levels of visceral fat around internal organs, fat infiltration in muscle, and greater liver fat content were the strongest predictors of accelerated cardiovascular aging.
For men, additional risk was linked to abdominal subcutaneous fat and android fat mass — body fat concentrated around the trunk. In contrast, genetically predicted gynoid fat, typically stored around the hips and thighs, was associated with slower cardiovascular aging.
Lead investigator Declan P. O’Regan, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., also of Imperial College London, noted the findings help clarify the long-debated “apple versus pear” body shape distinction.
“Our research shows that ‘bad’ fat, hidden deep around the organs, accelerates aging of the heart,” he said. “But some types of fat could protect against aging — specifically fat around the hips and thighs in women.”
The findings underscore the importance of body fat distribution — not just overall weight — in managing cardiovascular health and slowing age-related decline.
