Obesity is linked to accelerated cardiovascular aging, but the role of different fat distribution patterns remains unclear. Using machine learning and whole-body imaging in 21,241 participants, researchers predicted cardiovascular age and analyzed body fat distribution. They found that visceral adipose tissue, muscle fat infiltration, and liver fat were the strongest predictors of increased cardiovascular age in both sexes. Notably, while most fat deposition patterns accelerated cardiovascular aging in men, higher lower-body fat and total trunk fat were associated with slower cardiovascular aging in women. These findings highlight the importance of adipose tissue distribution as a key target for interventions aimed at promoting healthy lifespan.

References

Losev V, et al. Eur Heart J. Published online August 22, 2025.