A New Study Shows Height May Lower Risk of Heart Failure
Posted by Deanna Kidd on Thu, Feb 02, 2012
According to a study that was conducted by researchers in Boston, tall men may be less susceptible to heart failure than shorter men. While there is no clear evidence showing that a few extra inches can give the heart additional protection, there are certain differences between tall and short men that can affect heart failure risk, including diets and childhood diseases.
The findings of the study, which were presented in the American Journal of Cardiology, also suggest that the biology of tall men may make them less vulnerable to heart failure. The distance between the heart and certain artery branches and blood vessels is greater in taller men, and this can reduce stress on the heart.
The study focused on heart disease and cancer, and it involved a total of 22,000 male physicians. On average, the doctors started participating in the study in their mid-50s. They were asked to complete a questionnaire about their weight, height, and health condition, as well as follow-up surveys in which they reported medical diagnoses on a yearly basis. Data was collected from an average of 22 years of follow-up, and 1,444 men developed heart failure during this period. The findings showed that men with a height of more than 1.8 meters had a 24% lower chance of reporting a heart failure diagnosis than those who were 1.72 meters or shorter. Factors such as age, weight, blood pressure, and diabetes were all taken into account in the study.
According to head researcher Luc Djousse from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, child infections may be linked to heart failure, because they can stunt growth and cause high blood pressure and build-up of plaque in the arteries. Men who have a taller frame will experience less stress in their hearts, because it takes a longer time for blood to travel from certain points in the arteries and blood vessel branches to the heart, and the blood may hit the heart during a more relaxed stage of its rhythm. However, Djousse added that people should still be concerned about heart risks even if they are tall.
Photo by: Paul-W
