Upper Body Muscle Quality Linked to Reduced Heart Attack and Mortality Risk

A recent study has revealed a connection between the quality of upper body muscles and a decreased risk of heart attacks and mortality, suggesting a potential enhancement in the role of physical activity in preventing heart diseases.

Researchers reported that individuals with higher-quality muscle mass in their back and chest exhibited a lower likelihood of experiencing heart attacks or dying over a ten-year follow-up period.

These findings were published in the journal Radiology, where the researchers utilized artificial intelligence techniques to analyze computed tomography (CT) images from 1,722 patients who participated in a cardiac CT imaging trial in Scotland.

The patients, with an average age of 58, underwent imaging exams between 2010 and 2014 due to chest pain and were subsequently monitored for ten years to track heart attack incidents and deaths. During this timeframe, 133 patients died, and 106 suffered heart attacks, some of which were fatal.

The investigators identified a measure called "skeletal muscle attenuation," an indicator derived from CT imaging that reflects muscle quality; lower values indicate increased fat infiltration within muscles, signifying poorer quality. They found that improvements in this indicator were associated with reduced risks of heart attacks and death.

Impact of Muscle Quality on Cardiovascular Health

The imaging assessments captured upper body muscles, particularly the back muscles, the pectoralis major, and intercostal muscles, as part of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

The researchers clarified that muscle volume alone did not correlate with heart attack risk; rather, muscle quality and composition were the more critical factors.

Experts explained that higher-quality muscles often reflect greater levels of physical activity, which positively affects cardiovascular health.

Professor Brian Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, stated that individuals with greater muscle mass may be more physically active, which benefits heart health. He added that regular exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease by up to one-third.

The study also noted that each 10-point increase in muscle quality was linked to a 31% reduction in heart attack risk and a 39% decrease in mortality risk during the follow-up period, even after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, and arterial calcification.

The research team did not find a clear association between body fat quantity and heart attack risk, emphasizing the importance of focusing on muscle quality rather than weight alone.

Professor Michelle Williams, the study's lead investigator, indicated that the results provide a deeper understanding of the role muscles play in heart health but stressed the need for further research, especially regarding the effects of various exercise types such as cycling, planks, and Pilates on muscle and heart health.