Necklace size: The 'silent signal' that reveals heart health

If in the past, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were considered the "golden measures" to assess cardiovascular risk, today, scientists are paying attention to another unexpected factor: neck size.

A large neck circumference is a sign that fat around the trachea and pharyngeal tissue has thickened, easily causing airway obstruction during sleep - Photo: thealternativedail

Recent studies show that neck circumference not only reflects the amount of fat accumulated in the upper body but is also closely related to the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and arrhythmia.

That is why necklaces, which are thought to only affect aesthetics, are being considered a new medical indicator to help predict heart health.

From BMI to Neck Circumference: A Shift in Obesity Understanding

For decades, BMI has been used to assess overweight and obesity. However, BMI is based only on height and weight, and does not reflect where fat accumulates in the body. Meanwhile, the location of fat, especially belly, chest and neck fat, has very different impacts on health.

According to doctors, fat in the neck and upper body tends to release more free fatty acids into the blood than fat in the hips or legs. These fatty acids increase bad cholesterol levels, causing atherosclerosis and increasing the burden on the heart.

Therefore, people with large neck circumference often have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease even if their overall weight is not too large.

Some of the strongest evidence comes from the Framingham Heart Study, a decades-long research project in the US that is considered the "gold standard" in cardiovascular medicine.

Data from more than 4,000 participants showed that those with thick neck circumferences were more likely to have diabetes, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure, three leading risk factors for arrhythmia (Afib).

Afib, also known as atrial fibrillation, is a condition in which the heart beats rapidly and irregularly, causing blood to not be pumped effectively. Patients may feel nervous, tired, short of breath or have chest pain. In the long term, Afib increases the risk of stroke and heart failure, directly affecting life expectancy and quality of life.

Notably, the association between the collar and Afib persisted even after controlling for factors such as BMI, waist circumference, and weight, meaning that the collar provides independent and complementary information to traditional measures, a simple yet powerful diagnostic indicator.

A 2022 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that men with a neck circumference of 43 cm or more and women with a neck circumference of 36 cm or more had a significantly higher risk of developing arrhythmias than those with smaller necks.

“Neck circumference may be used as a simple, easily measured indicator of Afib risk, particularly in obese individuals,” the study authors concluded.

This is an important discovery, opening a new direction for early screening of cardiovascular disease using a simple, non-invasive method, suitable for regular general health check-ups.

Why is neck fat more dangerous than belly fat?

Not all fat is created equal. Researchers have found that upper body fat, especially around the neck, is more metabolically active than fat in the thighs and hips.

This means that neck fat is more likely to release fatty acids and inflammatory cytokines, which increase inflammation in the body, promote hardening of the blood vessels, and damage the heart's endothelium.

Additionally, neck fat is located near the airways and upper respiratory organs. When too much accumulates, it can cause narrowing of the airway, increasing the risk of sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that causes people to stop breathing for short periods of time multiple times during the night.

Sleep apnea not only causes the body to lack oxygen but also increases the burden on the heart, which is a direct risk factor leading to Afib.

Necklace size is a "silent signal" but full of meaning, helping predict the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and sleep apnea - Photo: onlymyhealth

Sleep apnea: The "bridge" between necklaces and heart disease

According to NHS England, sleep apnea is a common disorder in people who are overweight or have large necks. People with the condition often snore loudly, have light sleep, feel tired after waking up, and feel sleepy during the day.

The mechanism of OSA is quite complex. Each time you stop breathing, your body is deprived of oxygen, temporarily increasing your blood pressure, stimulating the sympathetic nervous system and causing your heart to beat faster. When this condition repeats hundreds of times each night, the heart gradually "wears out", leading to chronic arrhythmia.

A large neck circumference is a sign of thickened fat around the trachea and pharyngeal tissue, which can easily obstruct the airway during sleep. Therefore, measuring the neck circumference not only helps detect cardiovascular risk, but also supports early screening for sleep apnea, a disease that is increasingly common in adults.

Although there is no absolute "standard threshold" for everyone, experts recommend keeping the neck circumference below 36 cm for women and below 43 cm for men to reduce cardiovascular risks.

What to do when the collar "sends a red signal"?

If you notice your neck getting bigger, like old shirts starting to feel tight around the neck, it could be a sign of neck fat building up. A few small lifestyle changes can help:

Maintain a healthy weight through a healthy diet, limiting fried foods, processed foods and refined sugars.

Increase exercise, especially aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, cycling, and swimming to help burn fat all over the body.

Get enough sleep and avoid staying up late, because lack of sleep increases hormones that cause hunger and fat storage.

Get regular checkups, especially if you have signs of loud snoring, difficulty breathing while sleeping, or an unusually fast heartbeat.

MINH HAI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/kich-thuoc-vong-co-tin-hieu-tham-lang-tiet-lo-suc-khoe-tim-mach-20251028110151657.htm