Neck Size as a Clue to Heart Health
Measuring the size of your neck could provide a quick insight into your metabolic and cardiovascular health, research has shown.
While traditional measures such as body mass index are more well known, a simple check of neck circumference could provide important clues about a person’s health, even among those with a normal BMI.
Neck width may indicate strength in some people, such as athletes, but research shows that among many people with thicker necks, there are higher rates of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
This is because of fat distribution, most notably in the upper body. If fat is stored in the upper torso, fatty acids in the bloodstream impact cholesterol, blood sugar, and heart rhythm.
A wide neck is a visible sign of dangerous visceral fat which amasses around internal organs.
Author's summary: Neck size may indicate heart health risks.