The Chinese study has made a groundbreaking link after looking at almost 90,000 people
A new study has discovered a surprising relationship between the size of your neck and the condition of your heart. It’s well established that carrying excess weight, particularly around the waist, can negatively impact heart health due to its association with elevated blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and poor nutrition necessary for cardiovascular well-being.
Nonetheless, this innovative research underscores the neck as a wake-up call for people facing heart complications in their future. Published in the respected Nutrition Journal, researchers found that neck circumference measurements could “improve the predictive ability of individuals’ heart failure risk”.
They also examined body mass index (BMI) and the visceral adiposity index—a calculated measure to detect excessive amounts of deep-seated belly fat. It found an intersection of all three methods was a significant predictor of heart failure incidents.
The study, hailing from China, encompassed close to 90,000 participants ranging in age from 18 to 80, all free from cardiovascular disease at the outset. Over the course of nearly ten years, these individuals were tracked using surveys while expert cardiologists pinpointed instances of heart failure.
A follow-up conducted approximately five and a half years into the study brought to light that those with the largest neck circumferences, roughly greater than 39cm, were shown to have a “significantly associated with a high risk of heart failure”. The study suggested that extra fat in the neck area emits various chemicals that cause inflammation, harm blood vessel linings, and lead to oxidative stress which can damage cells. It was also found that individuals with larger neck circumferences are more prone to experience obstructive sleep issues such as sleep apnea or snoring.
Although snoring or sleep apnea might suggest a neck size associated with heart failure risk, the study did not conclude that snoring itself increased the risk of heart problems. This research isn’t the first to point out that neck thickness could be an early indicator of health concerns.
A 2022 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association established a connection between neck circumference and a heightened risk of heart disease. The American researchers discovered that patients with thicker necks were “much more likely” to suffer from atrial fibrillation, a condition characterized by irregular and fast heartbeats.
The scientists stated: “Neck circumference has been shown to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. There is evidence that free fatty acid release from upper‐body subcutaneous fat is higher compared with lower‐body subcutaneous fat.”
Free fatty acids have also been implicated in other serious illnesses, including cancer and type 2 diabetes. They are known to contribute to insulin resistance and oxidative stress, both of which play a role in the development of heart failure.
