Muscle and Belly Fat on Routine Chest CT Scans Linked to Death Risk
Graded Moderate — multicenter cohort of 28,509 heart patients followed about 3.5 years with external validation, though it is an unreviewed preprint.
- Design
- Preprint
- Participants
- 28,509
- Duration
- —
- Funding
- —
This study suggests muscle and organ fat may say more about health risk than weight alone.
An AI score built from routine chest CT scans predicted death risk well, with fat around the organs and muscle size mattering most. Researchers tested it in over 28,000 people with suspected or known heart disease at 12 centers in four countries, followed for about 3.5 years. This supports the growing view that what your body is made of, not just your weight, may matter for longevity. The benefit of improving body makeup came only from computer simulations, and the study is an unreviewed preprint in heart patients.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.