Men with male pattern baldness -- hair loss mainly affecting the vertex or crown of the head -- face higher risks of heart attack, chest pain, and coronary artery problems that require surgical intervention. This risk is especially high in men who also have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. The researchers used data from the Physicians' Health Study of 22,071 apparently healthy male doctors, aged 40 and older, to evaluate the association of baldness with the risk of heart disease over an 11-year period.

Increased hair loss was associated with an increasing risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) events, the authors report. Eleven years after joining the study, men with male pattern baldness faced the following increases in CHD risk, compared to men with no hair loss: -- 9% with frontal baldness only. -- 23% with mild vertex baldness. -- 32% with moderate vertex baldness. -- 36% with severe vertex baldness. The chance of developing heart disease was even higher when the researchers combined baldness with other risk factors, the investigators note. The risk of a coronary event increased by 79% when vertex baldness was accompanied by high blood pressure and nearly tripled when joined by high cholesterol levels.

A plausible explanation for an association between baldness and CHD may be elevated androgen (male hormone) levels. Men with severe baldness appear to have more androgen levels in the scalp, and higher blood levels of testosterone. High levels of androgens may directly contribute to both atherosclerosis and thrombosis (arterial blockage due to a clot), and may adversely influence risk factors such as hypertension and high cholesterol.

Archives of Internal Medicine January 24, 2000;160:165-171.

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

It appears that once male pattern baldness appears there is little one can do to reverse it. However, if one applies the principles in the diet program and normalizes their adrenal hormones, I believe most men can severely limit the onset of this genetic predisposition. However, men with hair loss should see their doctors to identify and address whatever modifiable risk factors for heart disease they might have. While the baldness might not be treatable, men can certainly reduce their heart attack risk by exercising, maintaining a healthy diet, making sure their blood pressure is under control, keeping their HDL/cholesterol ratios above 25 with the low grain no sugar diet, and not smoking. Other issues that can be looked at are serum ferritin levels and homocysteine levels.