Muscle Fat Linked to Heart Risk

German researchers, led by Sebastian Ziegelmayer from the Technical University of Munich, conducted a study using a deep learning model to analyze muscle composition via MRI. They found that higher intermuscular fat and lower lean muscle mass are associated with increased cardiometabolic risk factors, such as high blood pressure, abnormal blood sugar, and unhealthy lipid levels. The study, involving 11,348 participants, revealed many previously undiagnosed conditions. The findings, published in Radiology by the Radiological Society of North America, suggest that MRI could be used as an imaging-based biomarker for early identification of individuals vulnerable to cardiometabolic issues, potentially augmenting traditional risk factor screening.