The Insurance Helpline
Totally Insured Group // 0800 377 7763

A larger waist is associated with a higher risk of heart failure, even if body mass index (BMI) is normal, according to a new study.

The research, which was carried out on a Swedish population over seven years, adds to a growing body of evidence that waist circumference is a good indicator of overall heart health.

In men with a BMI of 25 (within the normal range) a ten cm higher waist circumference was associated with a 16 per cent higher rate of heart failure, increasing to 18 per cent when BMI rose to 30.

"This study reinforces the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight through diet and exercise," said study author Dr Emily B Levitan, from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Heart failure is a life-threatening condition that develops when the heart cannot pump blood around the body very efficiently.

There are several causes for the condition, including heart attack, high blood pressure or an inherited disease.


The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with heart conditions.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 at 6:00 pm and is filed under Obesity.