AI Study Links Denser Chest and Back Muscles to Reduced Heart Attack Risk

A new study using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse routine heart scans has found that people with denser chest and back muscles may have a lower risk of heart attacks and premature death. The research, conducted by the University of Edinburgh and published in the journal Radiology, suggests that muscle composition could become a new tool for identifying individuals at higher risk of heart disease.

The study examined chest scans from 1,722 patients, most in their 50s, who had undergone coronary CT angiography after experiencing chest pain. Using AI, researchers measured the density of muscles, fat, bones and organs in the upper body, focusing particularly on the chest and back muscles. They found that the quality of skeletal muscles—specifically their density, rather than size—was closely linked to long-term cardiovascular health.

Patients with denser chest and back muscles were significantly less likely to suffer a heart attack or die prematurely during the follow-up period. However, the study is observational and does not prove causation. It also did not account for other factors such as exercise habits or overall fitness, which could influence both muscle density and heart health.

The findings add to a growing body of evidence that muscle quality may be an important marker for heart health. Researchers note that further studies are needed to confirm the results and explore whether interventions to improve muscle density could reduce cardiovascular risk.