Large belly ups risk for heart failure

"Medical research continues to point out that middle-aged and older people with big bellies live with a greater risk for heart failure. "By any measure - BMI, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio or waist to height ratio - our findings showed that excess body weight was associated with higher rates of heart failure," said the study's lead author, Emily Levitan of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. "This study reinforces the importance of maintaining a healthy weight," she added. The researchers presented the new findings after analyzing the weight, height, and waist measurements of approximately 80,000 men and women from their mid-40s to early 80s. According to the study, women with extra weight around their stomachs were 15 per cent more likely to develop heart failure. Men, however, were 16 per cent more likely to develop the life-threatening condition if they had a larger belly. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump a sufficient amount of blood to meet the body's needs. It is typically caused by existing cardiac conditions, including high blood pressure or coronary artery disease. It is characterized by such symptoms as fatigue and weakness, difficulty in walking, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and a persistent cough or wheezing. The findings are published online in the April 7 Rapid Access Report of the journal Circulation."