The size of the neck indicates the status of the heart

People's attention with a short and thick neck: American scientists from Framingham (Massachusetts, United States) have identified a link between heart disease statistics and size of the neck. It was found that the thicker the neck, the greater the risk of heart problems.

neck size

A study by the Americans from the center of the Framingham Heart Study study done on the basis of the analysis of more than 3,300 volunteers of both sexes with an average age of 51 years, shows that is important not only and not so much your body weight and the presence of fat excess, as their distribution through the body, in other words - exactly where the fat is located. Indeed, it was found that even the owner waist, but with thick neck, is in cardiac risk.

All volunteers measured the neck (the circumference). The average for women was 34, 2 cm for men - 40, 5 cm. The researchers then measured the level of "good" cholesterol and blood glucose. (In brackets explain what it is. "Good" cholesterol, or - high-density lipoprotein (HDL) - is anti-atherogenic particles. These particles are engaged in a struggle with the "bad" cholesterol; they are literally pushed out "bad" cholesterol from the cells back to the liver where "bad" cholesterol "deported" from the body along with bile.)

After measurement of the neck it was found that the thickness of the body part directly correlates with the level of HDL. The thicker neck, the lower levels of HDL cholesterol and higher glucose levels. Every "extra" 3 centimeters in circumference of the neck practically mean reduction uroveya "good" cholesterol in men by 2, 2 mg per deciliter of blood, and women - at 2, 7 mg / dl! Meanwhile, if the level of HDL in men less than 40 mg / dL, he should be wary of a heart attack, which may occur from day to day. A woman should consider a visit to a cardiologist, if it has this indicator is below 50 mg / dL.

A similar pattern is observed with glucose. Its level in the blood rises to 3 mg / dl c 3 of each "extra" centimeter thick neck and 2 men, 1 mg / dl - the female neck. Is normal glucose level at around 100 mg / dl and not higher. If it is higher, you should be prepared for that or other cardiovascular diseases. (READ MORE)

Treatment and prevention

Go back to the main page