Severity of Alopecia Predicts Coronary Changes and Arterial Stiffness in Untreated Hypertensive Men

The study examined the link between the severity of androgenic alopecia (AGA) and cardiovascular damage in 101 newly diagnosed, untreated hypertensive men. Participants were categorized based on their AGA severity into mild to moderate AGA, severe AGA, and non-AGA groups. Cardiovascular parameters measured included pulse wave velocity, pulse pressure, carotid intima-media thickness, left ventricular hypertrophy, and coronary flow reserve. The findings indicated that coronary flow reserve was significantly lower in the severe AGA group compared to the other groups, while no differences were observed in the other cardiovascular parameters. The severity of AGA was independently associated with coronary flow reserve and pulse pressure, and the duration and onset age of AGA were linked to coronary flow reserve and pulse pressure, respectively. The conclusion was that severe AGA may signal impaired coronary microcirculation and aortic stiffness in hypertensive patients, potentially increasing their cardiovascular risk, especially in those with severe and early-onset AGA.