Daijiworld Media Network – Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Jun 11: Subtle changes in heart structure and function may serve as early indicators of an increased risk of developing certain cancers years later, according to a new study led by researchers at UCLA Health.
The findings, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, suggest that heart abnormalities detectable through advanced imaging could help identify individuals at elevated risk for both cardiovascular disease and cancer long before either condition becomes clinically apparent.
Researchers analysed data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a long-term study involving more than 6,000 adults aged between 45 and 84 who had no known cardiovascular disease at the time of enrolment. Participants underwent cardiac MRI scans between 2000 and 2002 and were followed for an average of 18 years.
During the follow-up period, researchers identified 790 new cancer cases, including breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers. The study found that participants showing early signs of cardiac remodelling — subtle structural and functional changes in the heart — faced a higher risk of developing certain cancers later in life.
One of the strongest associations observed was between increased left ventricular mass and breast cancer risk. Even after accounting for traditional cardiovascular and cancer risk factors, higher left ventricular mass remained linked to a greater likelihood of developing breast cancer.
Researchers also found that reduced function of the left atrium, measured through peak left atrial strain, was associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer. Individuals with healthier atrial function recorded significantly lower rates of colorectal cancer during the study period.
Lead author Dr Xinjiang Cai, a cardiologist and physician-scientist at UCLA Health, said the findings add to growing evidence that heart disease and cancer may share common biological pathways.
He emphasised, however, that the study identified associations rather than proving a cause-and-effect relationship.
“These findings do not mean that heart changes directly cause cancer or that better heart function prevents it,” Cai said, noting that additional research is needed to better understand the biological mechanisms connecting the two conditions.
Researchers said the study builds on earlier evidence linking elevated cardiac biomarkers and coronary artery calcium scores with future cancer risk. Unlike previous research, the current study used cardiac MRI technology to directly assess subtle heart changes before symptoms developed.
The team suggested that imaging markers currently used to assess heart disease risk could eventually help identify people who may also be at increased risk of cancer, potentially allowing earlier preventive interventions.
The authors cautioned that the findings need to be validated in larger population studies before they can influence clinical practice. They added that further research is required to determine whether addressing early heart abnormalities could also reduce future cancer risk.