New study suggests tiny eye vessels may reveal clues to heart health, longevity

Researchers have found that tiny blood vessels surrounding the human eye may also reveal their cardiac health, this serves as a high-potential tool for analyzing a person's risk of cardiovascular disease and determining their biological age.

The study has been published in Science Advances and the researchers at McMaster University and the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) further suggest that tiny blood vessels in the eye could be pivotal for predicting a person’s risk of heart diseases and the pace of aging.

In this regard, a senior author of the study and associate professor in the Department of Medicine, Marie Pigeyre said, “By connecting retinal scans, genetics and blood biomarkers, we have uncovered molecular pathways that help explain how aging affects the vascular system.”

The research study involved 74,000 participants from four major studies and found that individuals with less branched blood vessels were at high risk of cardiac diseases, resulting in increased inflammation and shorter lifespan.

Further study suggests that, according to Pigeyer’s prediction, the retinal scams may become a pivotal part of routine checkups, and medical specialists may play a crucial role in detecting vascular aging early.

Additionally, the study findings help to analyze potential drugs for maintaining overall vascular health and can be used as a powerful tool to mitigate the burden of cardiovascular diseases and ultimately enhance lifespan.