VERTEX

This type of hair loss is centrally located at the top of the head just south of the center. This is area is known as the vertex of the scalp. Over time with the continued progression of MPH there is complete hair loss at the vertex, producing a bald patch. The patch enlarges and joins the receding frontal hair line, leaving behind an island of hair on the frontal scalp. Eventually this island also disappears and only the marginal parietal and occipital hair remains. Ultimately the remaining hair thins and may also be lost. In some men the loss over the vertex occurs more rapidly than the frontal loss


Associated risks

While a receding hairline may be just enough to bother some men, hair loss on top of the head may actually increase the risk of heart disease. Published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, a journal of the American Medical Association, the study analyzed baldness and heart disease among 22,071 men ages 40 to 84. Compared to men with no hair loss, those with severe vertex baldness (balding at the crown of the head) had a 36% increased risk of heart disease. Men with moderate crown balding had a 32% increased risk, while mild balding on the crown carried a 23% increased risk. Men with frontal baldness had a 9% increased risk. The link was especially strong in men with vertex baldness who also had high cholesterol or high blood pressure. The increased risk was found in both young men (those under 55) and older men (those over 55). The study's authors noted that baldness is a non-modifiable factor. So stocking up on Rogaine, Propecia or another hair loss remedy might improve your looks, but it won't take your heart disease risk back to normal. An estimated 40 million men in the United States have some degree of baldness. The men in the study were evaluated for hair loss at age 45. At that time, 43% had no hair loss, 23% had frontal baldness and 34% had mild, moderate or severe vertex baldness. About 12 million Americans have heart disease - the nation's No. 1 killer - and about half are men. There have been a few other studies suggesting a link between baldness and heart disease, but none was as large as the Harvard study, which followed the men over an 11-year period. "Although vertex baldness may be a risk factor men cannot change, it may serve as a useful marker for clinicians to identify men at increased risk who could benefit from vigilant risk factor reduction," JoAnn Manson, an endocrinologist and one of the study's co-authors, said in a statement. Risk factors that can be minimized include hypertension, high cholesterol, diet, physical activity and smoking behaviors, she said. There are a couple of theories about why baldness may be associated with heart disease. Elevated levels of androgens, such as testosterone, is one explanation. Men who are very bald have a greater number of androgen receptors in the scalp. High levels of androgens may contribute to atherosclerosis and blood clotting and also may adversely affect other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Another explanation may be genetics. Men who are bald and who are predisposed to heart disease may pass on those tendencies to their sons. Always consult your physician for more information.

Norwood Scale Vertex Chart


This chart details the section of the Hamilton-Norwood scale as it relates to VERTEX male pattern hairloss. Viewed from left to right it illustrates the progression of MPH in a VERTEX pattern.

Hair loss related clips

Below are various clips related to hair loss, some informative and others strictly for amusement(or not) purposes. We came across these and found them to be an extremely lighthearted and humorous look at hair loss, hopefully after viewing you too may feel the same. Enjoy!




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