Toronto (ECN) - While the waist may seem the most obvious sign of poor
fitness
, a new study suggests that fat build-up on the neck may be a more potent
indicator of heart disease risk.
Researchers from the Framingham Heart Study announced their findings at a
meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando on Wednesday.
Although the results may seem more curious than useful, doctors are hopeful that
further study may be give them a new tool in evaluating risk.
Average neck circumferences of 15.9 inches for men and 13.5 inches for women
corresponded with normal rates of cholesterol. For every 1.2 inches added to
neck circumference researchers found approximately 2.2 milliliters difference in
good cholesterol.
HDL cholesterol, or good cholesterol, clears veins by adhering to other forms of
cholesterol, but not to the arterial wall. This leads to cholesterol being
metabolized by the liver, rather than remaining behind to cause complications.
Increased neck fat was also shown to correspond to other negative effects, such
as high blood glucose levels and additional bad cholesterol.
While not a perfect tool, doctors are confident that neck fat can be a useful
indicator of general upper-body fitness, often seen as the best rubric by which
to evaluate cardiovascular health.
