Men with beer bellies are at higher risk of heart problems

Carrying excess belly fat could signal potential heart problems, according to recent research. A study presented at the Radiological Society of North Americas annual meeting in Chicago highlights that abdominal fat is linked to structural heart changes that may lead to heart failure.

"Excess fat around the waist, reflected in a high waist-to-hip ratio, appears to affect heart structure more significantly than overall body mass index," explained Dr. Jennifer Erley, a radiology resident at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany.

The research indicates that this type of fat encourages the heart muscle to thicken while the overall size of the heart remains the same, resulting in smaller heart chambers. This shrinkage reduces the volume of blood the heart can hold and pump, impairing its ability to relax properlya condition that can eventually progress to heart failure.

For the study, MRI scans of over 2,200 adults aged 46 to 78, all without known heart disease, were analyzed. Researchers compared these images to participants BMI and waist-to-hip ratios. They discovered that greater abdominal fat corresponded with thicker heart walls and reduced chamber size.

These structural changes were particularly notable in men, especially in the right ventricle, the chamber responsible for pumping blood to the lungs. Researchers suggest this may be because men are more likely to accumulate belly fat earlier in life, whereas women may have some cardiovascular protection from estrogen.

"The differences between sexes indicate that men may be more susceptible to the impact of abdominal obesity on heart structure, a finding not widely observed in earlier studies," Dr. Erley noted. "Instead of concentrating solely on weight loss, adults in middle age should aim to prevent abdominal fat buildup through consistent exercise, a healthy diet, and appropriate medical care when needed."

Its important to note that findings presented at conferences are preliminary until they undergo peer review and publication.

Author: Olivia Parker