Study says retinal scan could help prevent heart attacks

Researchers at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK, conducted a study that correlates the vascularization patterns of the fundus of the retina with the risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to myocardial infarction (MI).

Studies have shown that a simple visit to the eye doctor can save you from a heart attack. The study, presented June 12 at the European Conference on Human Genetics in Vienna, Austria, estimates that simple retinal scans can be a powerful tool for diagnosing and preventing heart disease.

The study collected imaging scans and patient data registered with the UK Biobank and analyzed retinal scan images and patterns of vascular networks deep in the retina. The scientists cross-referenced this data with information from patients who had MI months or years after the exam.

The researchers noted that reduced vascular branching from the fundus of the retina, together with common risk factors for infarction, such as gender, age, body mass index, high blood pressure, and smoking, eventually indicates the presence of CAD, which eventually leads to a disease. MI..

To better understand the mechanisms that cause this link, the researchers also performed a genetic mapping of the reasons for the differentiation of blood vessel patterns in the eyes. The survey revealed nine genetic markers for its occurrence, four of which were related to heart disease.

The sociodemographic dataset and the discovery that simplified retinal vascular branching patterns can be a biomarker for heart disease opens new doors for early diagnosis with simple retinal scans.

According to Anna Villaplana-Velasco, a doctoral student at the Roslin and Usher Institutes, “researchers already knew that eyes can indicate other diseases in the body” and that this study “shows once again the importance of comprehensive analysis of the data collected.” and its value in the development of personalized medicine.”