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, vascular dysfunction, and hormonal imbalances 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.
What's the 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 and you’re at high risk for coronary 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 (especially male pattern baldness) 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.
How Can Heart Disease Lead to Hair Loss?
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:
1. 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 lead to hair loss due to heart disease.
2. 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.
3. 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 Connection
4. Stress
Stress is a common side effect for patients with heart disease, and it can lead to hair loss. When you're stressed, your body goes into a 'fight or flight' mode, which increases the production of certain hormones, including cortisol. High levels of cortisol can disrupt the natural growth cycles of your hair. Normally, hair goes through growth, resting, and shedding phases. Stress can push more hairs into the shedding phase, which results in more hair falling out than usual.
Moreover, the emotional strain from managing a chronic condition like heart disease can prolong this stress response in the body. Over time, this prolonged stress can lead to noticeable hair thinning and loss. It's important to manage stress through techniques such as meditation, regular exercise, or talking to a counselor.
5. Medication Side Effects
One reason people with heart disease might see their hair thinning or falling out is because of the medications they take. Common heart medications like beta-blockers and blood thinners are known to have side effects, and hair loss can be one of them. These drugs can mess with the natural growth cycle of your hair. Normally, your hair goes through phases of growing, resting, and shedding. But some heart medications can push your hair into the shedding phase faster than usual, leading to hair loss.
If you notice your hair is falling out after starting new heart medication, consult with your doctor. They'll adjust your dose or switch you to a different medication. Remember, you shouldn't stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice, as this can put your health at serious risk."
Female Hair Loss and Heart Disease Connection
Women with female pattern hair loss often have higher levels of testosterone hormone. This hormone imbalance can lead to other health problems, including insulin resistance, which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. By managing hormone levels and treating the underlying causes of female hair loss, women may be able to lower their cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.
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.
Hair loss can be a side effect for some people dealing with heart disease. Physical stress, medications, and nutritional deficiencies can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle. Here are some specific treatments that may help address hair loss caused by heart problems:
Medication Review
Certain heart medications, like beta-blockers, can cause hair loss. If hair loss is a persistent side effect, your doctor may adjust dosages or switch medications.
Improving Blood Circulation
Improving blood flow to your scalp can help with hair loss after heart disease. When your heart pumps blood well, it delivers more oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles. Good blood circulation can stimulate new hair growth and reduce shedding. Things like scalp massages, exercise, and using certain medications help boost your circulation and, in turn, support healthier hair.
Nutritional Supplement
Proper nutritional supplements can also help with hair loss after heart problems. Sometimes, conditions like heart disease can lead to deficiencies in important vitamins and minerals needed for hair growth. Not getting enough nutrients like iron, zinc, and protein starves your hair follicles.
Gentle Hair Care
Gentle hair care is important for preventing further hair loss when you are suffering from a heart disease. Avoid hairstyles like tight ponytails or braids that pull or tug on your hair. Use a soft brush, and be careful when washing and drying your hair. Limit hot styling tools, as heat can further damage fragile hair. Taking these gentle hair care steps can help minimize breakage and shedding while your hair works to regrow.
Try Theradome Helmet
If you've experienced hair loss as a result of heart disease and are looking for a safe and effective hair loss treatment, 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.
Conclusion
The link between heart disease and hair loss is complex but real. When your heart isn't pumping properly, it can disrupt the hair growth cycle through reduced blood flow, nutrient deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances. But don't lose hope! By working closely with your doctor to manage your heart condition, adjust medications if needed, and restore nutritional levels, you can get both your heart and hair back into tip-top shape. Be gentle with your strands, give them some extra care, and consider hair loss treatments like low-level laser therapy that can revive those follicles from the inside out.
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.
