Neck Size & Heart Disease

Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men and women in the United States, says the Statistics About Heart Disease website. It also accounts for 25 percent of all deaths for blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska natives and whites. There are many risk factors for heart disease; a recent study found that a person’s neck size can be a key indicator of the risk for heart disease.

Research

• Doctors have been warning obese patients that fatty deposits around the belly area are a key indicator for future heart problems. Recently, Sarah Rosner Presis, ScDm, MPH, and colleagues have also found this also applies to neck circumference. Two studies were conducted with 3,320 patients with an average age of 51. They found that the larger the neck, the more risk of having heart disease or a heart attack.

Neck Size

• The study by Rosner Presis did not determine how big is too big when it comes to healthy neck size. However, the average neck size for a woman is around 13.5 inches. The average neck size for a man is 19.5 inches. The researchers did conclude that for every three inches of increase, men had 2.2 milligrams of less good cholesterol per deciliter of blood (mg/dl) and women 2.7mg/dl. Good cholesterol is what takes the cholesterol away from the cells and down to the liver, where it is then broken down. If the cholesterol is not broken down, it can become blocked in the arteries, causing heart attack or stroke.

Upper Body

• Many doctors believe the upper body is the best assessment when it comes to determining a patient's risk for heart disease. Dr. Kirk Garratt, director of interventional cardiovascular research at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, states that “people with most of the weight in the upper part of the body have more cardiovascular disease.” He also states a “body-mass index over 25 increases the risk of coronary events, regardless of where they are carrying their weight."

Treatment

• Professor Jimmy Bell, a lead researcher in the study, concluded that regardless of where the fat is stored, it is best to lose it. He also believes, “dieting isn't what you need to shift this - it's exercise." Familydoctor.org recommends getting 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise four to six times a week to help reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Other Factors

• Smoking, diabetes, age, obesity, high blood pressure and stress are all risk factors for a heart attack. These factors, coupled with a larger neck size, can greatly increase the odds of having a heart attack or even a stroke. It is important to consult with a medical professional and to maintain regular checkups.