A new study from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, presented at this week’s American Heart Association conference, found that visible signs of aging can predict disease. Researchers analyzed almost 11,000 participants over 40 and took note of four aging signs: receding hairline, baldness at the crown, earlobe crease, and yellow fatty deposits around the eyelid (called xanthelasmata). After 35 years of follow-up, researchers discovered that these four signs of aging were strong predictors of both heart attack and disease—regardless of participants’ actual age. Those with three or more of these aging signs were 57% more likely to have a heart attack and 39% more likely to get heart disease. Fatty eyelid deposits were the #1 predictor of both. Your best bet? Keeping up your current healthy habits and adding a few new ones to your anti-aging arsenal. Check out The Body Beautiful: Prevent A Heart Attack for simple, step-by-step advice on how to keep your heart going strong for years to come.
