Emami M, Agbaedeng TA, Thomas G, et al. - Findings revealed that leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a marker of biological aging, was strongly associated with the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiovascular (CV) death. Cardiometabolic risk factors were identified as contributors to telomere attrition and thus accelerate biological aging.

• A total of 32 studies (n=144,610 participants) on the link between LTL and MI, CV death, and/or cardiovascular disease risk factors, were analyzed in this systematic review and meta-analysis.

• A 39% higher risk of MI (risk ratio RR: 1.39) was revealed in relation to the shortest LTL, in a pooled analysis of MI and LTL in a multivariate-adjusted model.

• The shortest tertile of LTL had a 28% elevated risk of CV death (RR: 1.28), as noted post-adjusting for chronological age and traditional covariance.

• A 46% increased risk of LTL attrition (RR: 1.46) was observed in relation to the presence of diabetes mellitus.