The Intriguing Relationship Between Skeletal Muscle Mass And Heart Function Is Present In Spite Of Ageing-Related Sarcopenia

Introduction: The link between skeletal muscle and heart disease is intriguing. In sarcopenic states such as those associated with chronological ageing, it is unknown if the link between skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and heart function is still present. Methods: A community-based cohort of participants without heart disease, stroke or cancer were studied. We included participants who had sarcopenia (defined by European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (appendicular lean mass, ALM/height2). Participants underwent detailed body composition analyser that measures SMM in sites such as trunk, upper limb and lower limb. They underwent tissue Doppler echocardiography for assessment of diastolic function. Associations between SMM and myocardial function were studied in adjusted models. Results: We studied 195 eligible participants (mean age 73±4 years; 83 (43%) females; 98 (50%) had hypertension, 97 (50%) had dyslipidemia, 45 (23%) had diabetes mellitus, 50 (26%) ever-smoked. We observed significant univa...