Studies have found that every inch of waistline increases the risk of heart failure by 11%.
Experts warn that shifting belly fat is more important than simply losing weight.
The University of Oxford study was presented at the European College of Cardiology. Barcelonafound that those with the widest waists were 3.21 times more likely to have heart failure than slim adults.
By comparison, the heaviest subjects were 2.65 times more likely to develop the condition.
Principal investigator Dr. Ayodypupo Oguntade confirmed that the amount of “trunk fat” is more important in tracking cardiovascular risk.
His study looked at 430,000 Britons over 13 years.
about 920,000 Britons heart failure 200,000 new cases are picked up each year. It is the leading cause of hospitalization for those over the age of 65.
James Leiper of the British Heart Foundation said: “Heart failure is a chronic, incurable disease that gets worse over time, so these findings underscore the importance of managing your weight now. .
Experts urge people to check their waist size regularly.
Healthy Body Nice says that an adult’s waist should be no more than half their height. The National Obesity Forum recommends using tape for measurements.
