Larger waistline linked to heart disease among women

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A new study suggests that woman with a waistline larger than 35 inches are more at risk of heart disease than thinner women.
Waist circumference has already been identified as an essential component of obestiy. Now a team of researchers at New York Presbyterian Hospital shows a clear link with heart disease. On Women's Health Day, February 18, 2005, the waistlines of over 6,000 women without known heart disease were measured and 90 per cent proved to have at least one major risk factor for heart disease and one third had three or more. These risk factors included high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Increased waist circumference also correlated with heart disease risk.

Nearly half of those with high cholesterol were not aware of it, nor were 16 per cent of those with high blood pressure. Waist measurement was, however, linked to these risk factors and is an easy way of women identifying themselves as being at risk. Weight control can reduce abdominal obesity and waist measurement and so decrease the likelihood of heart disease. In other words, keep an eye on your waist measurement - and try to keep it under 35 inches.

Source
American Journal of Preventive Medicine January 2006

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