The
latest study published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology found
a link between belly fat and the risk of a subsequent heart attack or stroke
besides having a pot belly increases the odds of having the first heart attack.
The link was particularly strong in men. "Abdominal obesity not only increases your risk for a first heart attack or stroke, but also the risk for recurrent events after the first misfortune," said Dr. Hanieh Mohammadi of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
"Maintaining a healthy waist circumference is important for preventing future heart attacks and strokes regardless of how many drugs you may be taking or how healthy your blood tests are."
The study tracked more than 22,000 Swedish patients after their first heart attack and looked at the link between their waist circumference and events caused by clogged arteries like fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and stroke. Patients were followed for nearly four years.
The study found that belly fat was associated with heart attacks and stroke independent of other risk factors like smoking, diabetes, hypertension, body mass index and prevention treatments. The researchers stressed that waist circumference was a more important marker than overall obesity.
However, they said that the link was stronger and more linear in men than women.
In women, Mohammadi said, the relationship was "U-shaped" rather than linear, meaning that the mid-range waist measurement was least risky.
This may be due to the fact that men may have more visceral fat that goes deep inside the body and wraps around the vital organs. This fat can be turned into cholesterol that can start collecting along and hardening the arteries, perhaps ultimately leading to a heart attack or stroke.
In women, a greater portion of the abdominal fat is constituted by subcutaneous fat which is relatively harmless.
The link was particularly strong in men. "Abdominal obesity not only increases your risk for a first heart attack or stroke, but also the risk for recurrent events after the first misfortune," said Dr. Hanieh Mohammadi of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
"Maintaining a healthy waist circumference is important for preventing future heart attacks and strokes regardless of how many drugs you may be taking or how healthy your blood tests are."
The study tracked more than 22,000 Swedish patients after their first heart attack and looked at the link between their waist circumference and events caused by clogged arteries like fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and stroke. Patients were followed for nearly four years.
The study found that belly fat was associated with heart attacks and stroke independent of other risk factors like smoking, diabetes, hypertension, body mass index and prevention treatments. The researchers stressed that waist circumference was a more important marker than overall obesity.
However, they said that the link was stronger and more linear in men than women.
In women, Mohammadi said, the relationship was "U-shaped" rather than linear, meaning that the mid-range waist measurement was least risky.
This may be due to the fact that men may have more visceral fat that goes deep inside the body and wraps around the vital organs. This fat can be turned into cholesterol that can start collecting along and hardening the arteries, perhaps ultimately leading to a heart attack or stroke.
In women, a greater portion of the abdominal fat is constituted by subcutaneous fat which is relatively harmless.
In
addition, excessive body fat around the middle linked to smaller brain, study
says
Abdominal
obesity is defined as a waist circumference of 94 cm (37.6 inches) or above for
men, and 80 cm (32 inches) or above for women. The risk of cardiovascular
disease like heart attacks or strokes is considered to be higher in those with
a waist measurement of above 94 cm in men and above 80 cm in women, according
to the World Health Organization. The risk is thought to be substantially
increased in men with a waist wider than 102 cm and 88 cm in women.
The
authors said that belly fat was best tackled by a healthy diet and regular
exercise. Earlier studies have shown that regular moderate cardio, like walking
for at least 30 minutes a day, can help fight a widening waistline. Strength
training with weights may also help but spot exercises like sit-ups that can
tighten abs will not touch visceral fat.
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