Doctors have long resorted to body mass index (BMI) or waist-ann at health risks. But investigators are increasingly aware of an unexpected indicator: the circumference of the neck.
A wide neck can convey strength, as with heavy weight boxers or rugbi players, but studies suggest that it may also be a sign of a worrying health problem.
The BMI, which results from the division of weight by height to estimate body fat, does not always tell the full story. A competitive culturer can have a high BMI without being obese. This is where neck circumference adds relevant information.
The investigation shows that people with larger necks Regarding its body size face added risks of several serious diseases. The connection is in the way neck measurement reveals the distribution of fat, especially at the top of the body.
This fat in the upper body releases fatty acids in the blood, which can interfere with how the body generates cholesterol, blood glucose and heart rhythm. The circumference of the neck works as a Visceral fat marker – The harmful fat that surrounds the organs.
Evidence that relates neck size to health problems are impressive. People with thicker necks have higher rates of various cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, auricular fibrillation e heart failure.
Auricular fibrillation is particularly worrying. This condition causes irregular heartbeat and changes in blood flow and may originate clots and strokes. The electrical imbalance in the heart can, over time, evolve into heart failure.
The circumference of the neck is also associated with coronary sicknesswhere the main arteries that irrigate the heart narrow and limit the arrival of oxygen -rich blood.
But cardiovascular problems are not the only concern. A higher neck circumference increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Diabetes can cause severe long -term complications, including vision loss and amputations.
There is also connection to sleep disorders. Thick necks have been associated with apnea Obstructive sleep, where breathing and resumes repeatedly during sleep. This condition causes extreme fatigue during the day and overload of the cardiovascular system. People with sleep apnea are at greater risk of road accidents due to tiredness.
But what is the neck size considered at risk? In men, 43 cm or more increase health risks. In women, the threshold is 35.5 cm or more.
Perhaps the most surprising is that these risks persist even in people with normal BMI. It may have a weight considered healthy by traditional measurements, but still face added risks due to the circumference of the neck.
And for each additional centimeter of circumference beyond these limits, mortality and hospitalization rates increase.
What does this mean to you
If your measure goes beyond these values, it is no reason for panic – but it deserves to be taken seriously. The neck size represents only part of its global health, but it is an important and often ignored part.
The good news is that neck circumference can decrease with lifestyle changes. Exercise Cardiovascular and strength training help reduce fat at the top of the body. One quality sleep favors metabolic regulation and recovery. One balanced food, Rich in legumes, fruits and vegetables, provides essential nutrients without excess calories.
Measuring the neck takes a few seconds with a tape measure. Just roll it around the narrowest part of the neck, making sure the tape is fair but not tight.
This simple measurement can provide valuable health risks information that traditional metrics may not reveal. Although neck circumference should not replace other health assessments, it offers one more tool to understand its cardiovascular and metabolic state.
In an era where we constantly seek better ways to predict and prevent disease, sometimes answers are literally even before us. Your neck may be revealing more about your health than you think – and you deserve attention.
