It’s well known that some medical conditions cause hair loss in women and men. Did you know that heart disease and hair loss can be linked? In honor of Heart Disease Awareness month, let’s take a look at the connection between heart disease and hair loss.
Hair loss and heart disease are two distinct conditions that can significantly impact a person's well-being. While heart disease is a serious cardiovascular condition that affects the heart and blood vessels, hair loss refers to the gradual or sudden loss of hair from the scalp or other parts of the body. Despite their apparent differences, recent research has shown the potential connection between heart disease and hair loss. Risk factors associated with heart disease, such as inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and vascular dysfunction, might also contribute to hair loss.
Heart disease usually affects more men than women. Regardless of your gender, it’s still important to be aware of certain signs and symptoms that you can experience. You might be surprised to know that hair loss specifically occurs at the crown of the head. This is called vertex hair loss. Vertex hair loss can indicate an underlying heart condition.
Connection Between Heart Disease and Hair Loss
Hair loss and heart disease may seem unrelated, but studies have found a potential connection between the two. Hair loss is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be caused by various factors such as genetics, hormonal changes, and certain medical conditions. On the other hand, Cardiovascular disease is one of the top killers in the U.S. Sometimes, symptoms don’t appear until the late stages of the condition. We all need to stay vigilant and keep all factors in mind when dealing with heart conditions – including issues such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, family history, and, yes, even hair loss.
So if your hair is unusually thinning out, and you’re at high risk for heart disease, consult a cardiologist before researching hair regrowth products and tips on how to grow hair faster. The last thing you want to do is try to mask a problem instead of addressing the cause.
So why is hair loss related to heart disease? And what can you do to specifically improve your health – and your hair’s?
Can Heart Problems Cause Hair Loss?
Many people wonder if heart problems can lead to hair loss. While there isn't a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the two, some studies suggest that certain heart conditions and hair loss may be linked. For example, conditions like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis, which affect the blood vessels, could impact the health of hair follicles and lead to hair loss. However, it's important to note that hair loss can have various causes, including genetics, hormonal changes, stress, and certain medications.
Hair loss can be distressing, and it's natural to search for potential connections between health issues like heart problems and this condition. While heart problems alone may not directly cause hair loss, there could be indirect links. For instance, heart conditions can affect the overall circulation of blood and oxygen to the body, including the scalp. Since hair follicles require a sufficient blood supply for healthy growth, any disruption in blood flow could impact their function. Additionally, some medications used to manage heart conditions may have hair loss as a side effect. Let's look at how heart disease directly/indirectly causes hair loss:
Heart Disease and Inflammation in the Body
You may have previously read that laser hair regrowth treatments work best when used in conjunction to anti-inflammatory shampoos. People experience hair loss though inflammatory scalp conditions, including folliculitis – meaning inflammation of the hair follicles.
Did you know that all diseases, including heart problems, are at their core some type of inflammation? Whether it’s due to our diet, the environment or certain lifestyle choices, such as smoking, our bodies respond to anything negative with inflammation as a protection mechanism. Inflammation throughout the body won’t spare your scalp and hair follicles. Inflammation in the scalp can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle and contribute to hair loss as a result of heart disease.
Heart Disease and Insulin Resistance
We all love to have our sweets and our occasional fried foods but if it becomes a habit, then our body can become resistant to insulin. This can lead to Type II diabetes. Poor nutrition choices, along with a lack of exercise, are also factors that cause cardiovascular problems. For this reason, some research indicates that both conditions sometimes come hand-in-hand.
Being resistant to insulin also implies having a weakened immune system, putting you more at risk for infections that can affect your scalp. Most importantly, insulin resistance results in poor blood circulation. Your hair follicles stop receiving enough nutrients through blood flow to stay healthy and grow. Hair thinning and hair loss can occur without action.
Heart Disease and Male Hormones
Men and women both carry female and male hormones, but as you may have guessed, simply in different amounts. Did you know that being especially sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) could also potentially tie cardiovascular problems and hair loss together? Research shows that high levels of male hormones can increase the risk of arterial narrowing, blood clotting, and arterial hardening, which are all characteristic of heart disease.
DHT is also infamously associated with the deterioration of hair. Some hair regrowth products, such as finasteride, focus on minimizing the presence of this follicle assassin, but unlike laser hair growth helmet, they can also cause undesirable side effects.
Here Read: DHT and Hair Loss
Treatment for Hair Loss After Heart Disease
Don’t forget that hair is never a priority when vital organs, such as your heart, are under attack. It’s crucial to address and prevent any serious health problems that cause hair loss before looking into effective hair regrowth solutions.
If you've experienced hair loss as a result of heart disease and are looking for a safe and effective solution, the Theradome LH80 PRO may be the answer you've been searching for. Unlike other hair regrowth products, the Theradome LH80 PRO utilizes the natural power of red light to energize follicles that aren’t receiving enough blood nutrients that become weak by an abundance of DHT. Red light optimized at a 680nm wavelength effectively treats hair follicles at the base without producing any side effects. When recovering from any illness that triggers hair loss, avoid a therapy that could cause cause side effects.
If you’re worried about your cardiovascular health, or a loved one’s, take the time to schedule an appointment with a physician today. Your health and your hair will thank you for it. As you begin adopting measures to live a healthy lifestyle and fortify your immune system, prevent further hair loss and strengthen your hair follicles with the Theradome LH80 PRO.
Say yes to the hair you've been dreaming of! Order your Theradome laser helmet now and embrace the transformative power of our cutting-edge technology. Don't let hair loss hold you back—step into a future with fuller, healthier hair.
