Aging Blood Vessels: German Study Reveals Key to Preventing Heart Disease, Stroke & Dementia
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Magdeburg, Germany – September 24, 2025 – A groundbreaking review published in nature-Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy by researchers at the University Medical Center Magdeburg is shedding new light on the critical link between aging blood vessels and the rising rates of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and even dementia. The study underscores the importance of early detection and preventative measures to combat what researchers are calling “vascular age.”
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death globally,claiming nearly 18 million lives in 2019 alone. A key, frequently enough overlooked, factor is the gradual loss of elasticity in arteries as we age – a process known as vascular stiffening. This stiffening leads to increased blood pressure and puts a strain on vital organs, ultimately increasing the risk of heart failure, kidney disease, and cognitive decline.
“Our work clearly shows that vascular stiffness is one of the earliest and most important markers for cardiovascular diseases and thus a starting point for personalized prevention,” explains Dr.Patrick Müller, a physician at the University Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology Magdeburg and one of the study’s authors.
(Image: Part of the Magdeburg research team for vascular age (VL): Prof. Dr. med. Rüdiger Braun-Dullaeus, director of the University Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology Magdeburg, Dr. med. Matthias Kunz, specialist in internal medicine, Dr. med. Patrick Müller and dr. med. Maximilian Herzog, assistant doctors of the university Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology Magdeburg and Prof. Dr. med.Stefanie Schreiber, provisional director of the university Clinic for Neurology Magdeburg. Photographer: Sarah Kossmann/University Medicine Magdeburg)
Saxony-Anhalt: A Warning Sign for Europe
The research takes on particular urgency in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, which faces a unique demographic challenge.The region boasts not only the oldest population in Germany but also a disproportionately high prevalence of key risk factors including hypertension, smoking, obesity, type 2 diabetes, lipid metabolism disorders, and physical inactivity. This combination results in higher rates of heart failure, stroke, coronary heart disease, and the lowest life expectancy in the nation.
“This makes Saxony-Anhalt a model region for demographic development in Europe,” states Prof. Dr. med. Rüdiger Braun-Dullaeus, director of the University Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology Magdeburg. “We are already seeing what other regions only expect in a few years. At the same time, this opens up the opportunity to develop prevention strategies that can have an effect on Europe. Because up to 80 percent of all cardiovascular diseases would be avoidable if we treat risk factors consistently and recognize vascular age.”
the Future of Cardiovascular Prevention: A Digital Approach
The Magdeburg team’s findings are fueling the “Digital cardiovascular Prevention” (Dikap) project – currently the largest prevention study on cardiovascular diseases in Germany. Researchers are focusing on understanding how inflammation, calcium deposits, and changes within vascular muscles accelerate the aging process.
Their proposed preventative strategies include:
* Early Detection: Utilizing modern methods like pulse wave analysis to identify vascular stiffness.
* Digital Prevention Programs: Implementing programs to stabilize blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar levels.
* Integrated Therapies: Combining medication with lifestyle changes and digital support systems.
Prof. Braun-Dullaeus emphasizes a critical need for wider adoption of vascular stiffness testing. “Vascular stiffness is one of the most important early indicators for cardiovascular diseases and yet so far hardly arrived in regular care. We need uniform measuring standards and better remuneration so that this knowledge really arrives among the patients.”
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-025-02346-0
Learn more about the Dikap project: https://dikap.med.ovgu.de/
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* Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, heart
