Short people more at risk of heart disease

By Brandie Umar - Executive Director of Content | June 9th, 2010

People under 5ft tall are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular problems, experts say. The news follows research conducted upon 3 million people.

The study of the relationship between height and heart disease found shorter people have an increased risk of developing fatal heart disease - a risk 1.5 times greater than people over 5ft tall. Doctors conducting the study were unable to determine whether the results are due to arteries in shorter people being inherently narrower, or if the increased risk of cardio problems is related to reasons for stunted growth such as poor childhood nutrition.

Body mass index (BMI) is an indicator of cardiovascular disease risk. A BMI over the recommended figure increases a patients chance of developing heart related complications. BMI, a figure determined by calculating height with weight, is often used to warn people of heart disease risks. As BMIs of shorter people tend to be higher then the BMI of a taller patient, the research seems to match the belief that a patients BMI figure can warn of health complications. It is worth noting that exceptionally tall patients are likewise at increased risk of heart problems due to the extra strain on the cardiovascular system while pumping blood flow around the body.

Heart disease is caused by a complex number of factors and the rise in heart disease has long been linked to poor diet and lack of exercise, as well as genetic predispositions to the disease. The doctors behind the study say shorter people need not worry unduly but note patients being aware of the increased risk could help predict earlier warning

signs of heart complications.

Latest Health News