The Degree of Premature Hair Graying as an Independent Risk Marker for Coronary Artery Disease: A Predictor of Biological Age Rather Than Chronological Age

In 2012, a study involving 213 men undergoing coronary angiography found that the degree of hair graying, as measured by the Hair Whitening Score (HWS), was significantly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), independent of chronological age and other traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The study concluded that premature hair graying could be an independent risk marker for CAD, suggesting that biological age may be a more relevant factor than chronological age in assessing cardiovascular risk. The study also noted limitations, such as the specific population with known cardiovascular risk factors and the inability to establish causality. Further research was recommended to explore the mechanisms by which hair graying may reflect the body's response to cardiovascular risk factors.