Here's What Your Neck Size May Tell You About Your Heart Health

Woman's neckThough some associate body mass index (BMI) with heart health risk, the British Heart Foundation says that this can be inaccurate.But in 2019, researchers found that a person’s neck circumference seemed to predict cardiovascular risk among 4,607 adults involved in the Chilean National Health Survey 2009-2010. The metric has been linked to atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and all-cause mortality.So why might your neck size affect your heart health, and what are generally considered “healthy” circumferences? Why might your neck size affect your heart health?According to the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA), it can sometimes act as a “proxy for upper‐body subcutaneous fat,” though a larger neck circumference tends to increase your heart health risk regardless of BMI. Thicker necks are also linked to obstructive sleep apnoea, a breathing condition that itself raises the likelihood of heart health issues. The JAHA article also suggests that fat stored in the neck, an ectopic fat, might cause more inflammation.And, it reads, “On a neurohormonal level, relative to visceral fat, subcutaneous fat in the upper body releases a higher level of free fatty acids to the systemic circulation”. What’s considered a “large” neck size? For men, a high neck circumference starts at 17 inches or 43.18cm. For women, it’s 15 inches, or 38.1cm, per the JAHA article. For every added centimetre, it seems health risks increase. Your neck circumference can be taken by wrapping a flexible tape measure around the narrowest part of your neck. It’s important to note that a bigger neck does not definitely mean you’ll get heart disease.Per The Conversation, a larger neck is not automatically a reason to “panic,” and “The good news is that neck circumference can change with lifestyle modifications.” A 2022 paper found that vigorous exercise was slightly better at reducing neck size than more gentle workouts. And great sleep and a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and pulses can help too.Related...How Much Matcha Does It Take To Cause Health Issues?These May Be The Best (And Worst) Bedtimes For Heart HealthWhat Is 'Healthspan' And Why Does It Vary So Much Across The UK?

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