Men who are experiencing hair loss on the top of their heads should be aware of a possible link to heart disease, according to Japanese medical experts.

A study involving nearly 37,000 participants found that bald men had a 32% higher risk of developing coronary artery disease than men with a full head of hair. However, the researchers emphasized that this increased risk is still lower than the risks associated with smoking or obesity.

Hair loss is a common condition among men. About half of all men experience thinning hair by their 50s, and around 80% have significant hair loss by the age of 70.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo reviewed previous studies examining the relationship between hair loss and cardiovascular disease. They found that vertex baldness—hair loss occurring primarily at the crown of the head—appeared to be associated with an increased risk of heart disease. In contrast, a receding hairline, where hair gradually disappears from the front and sides, did not seem to have the same association.

Despite these findings, experts caution that the connection remains uncertain, and men should not be alarmed by the results alone. More research is needed to determine whether there is a definite causal relationship between baldness and heart disease.

For now, health professionals continue to stress that men should pay more attention to their waistlines than their hairlines, as obesity remains one of the most significant risk factors for heart disease.