Could Gray Hair Mean a Higher Risk for Heart Disease?

Atherosclerosis (the narrowing of the arteries due to the build-up of cholesterol and other substances on arterial walls) and graying hair have similar causes: the damaged DNA that comes with aging, increased oxidative stress, and the aging of cells. An observational study that included 545 adult men found that those with coronary heart disease had greater hair whitening and increased levels of coronary artery calcification than their healthier counterparts. European Society of Cardiology, April 2017