Heart Volume Increase Disease Risk
- For decades, assessing heart health has largely focused on whether individual chambers of the heart fall within established "normal" size ranges.
- Researchers analyzed data from 4,073 participants (median age 61) who were part of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a long-term study initiated between July 2000 and July...
- LRVR values were categorized as balanced (0.8-1.3), low (1.3).
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Published August 19, 2025
Beyond “Normal” Ranges: A New Look at Heart Health
For decades, assessing heart health has largely focused on whether individual chambers of the heart fall within established “normal” size ranges. But emerging research suggests this approach might potentially be overlooking a critical factor: the balance between the left and right sides of the heart. A new study, published August 19 in Radiology, reveals that even in individuals with no prior history of cardiovascular disease, imbalances in left-to-right ventricular and atrial volumes can significantly increase the risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and even death.
Researchers analyzed data from 4,073 participants (median age 61) who were part of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a long-term study initiated between July 2000 and July 2002. All participants underwent cardiac MRI and were free of cardiovascular disease at the studyS outset. The team focused on two key ratios: the left-to-right ventricular volume ratio (LRVR) and the left-to-right atrial volume ratio (LARA).
LRVR values were categorized as balanced (0.8-1.3), low (<0.8), or high (>1.3). LARA values were classified as low (≤2) or high (>2). Over the follow-up period, 239 participants (5.9%) developed heart failure, 772 (19%) developed atrial fibrillation, and 906 (22.2%) died.
