Easy test A ‘important predictor’ of potentially deadly state

What it has in your gut can simply break your heart – literally.

For years, doctors have used body mass index (BMI) as a standard tool for overweight measuring and assessing a patient’s risk of developing heart failure.

But new research suggests that a simple report that includes your waist line can be an even better predictor. The best part? You can calculate it yourself at home – here’s how.

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Research presented this week at the European Cardiology Association Congress viewed 1,792 adults 45 to 73 years old.

Participants were divided into three groups: those with normal blood sugar, prediabetes or diabetes. During a 13-year subsequent period, 132 developed heart failure.

Here is the hit: researchers tied a larger waist compared to height with a “significantly increased” risk of heart failure.

In fact, those with a wethe ratio of 0.65 or higher were nearly three times more likely to develop potentially deadly state.

“BMI is the most common mass of being overweight, but it is influenced by factors such as sex and ethnicity, and does not take into account the distribution of body fat,” said study co -author Dr. John Molvin from Lund University in Sweden.

Unlike BMI, WTHR aims at central adiposity, or excess fat in the abdomen surrounding the internal organs. This fat presents a stronger risk of health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even an early death compared to general overweight.

“We found that WTHR was a significant predictor of the incident [heart failure]”Said Molvin, adding that it can be a more reliable measure than BMI to identify those in danger and those who can benefit from overweight treatments.

Next, researchers plan to research whether WTHR can anticipate other health issues, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Killing millions, costing billions

Heart failure is a progressive condition that occurs when the heart muscle is damaged and can no longer pump enough blood and oxygen to other organs of the body.

Extremely is extremely common in the US, with the norms that are consistently ascending over the last decade, especially in young populations.

About 6.7 million Americans over 20 are living with heart failure. This number is expected to be dropped to 8.7 million by 2030 and a stunning 11.4 million by 2050, according to the American Heart Failure Society.

The main risk factors include an age of 65, a family history and high blood pressure or coronary artery disease. Obesity also plays a major role, with studies associated with 11% of cases of heart failure in men and 14% in women.

While there is no cure for heart failure, early detection is critical. Timely treatment can slow progress, improve quality of life and prevent complications.

Without it, heart failure can be fatal. It is a senior killer in the US, responsible for 8.5% of cardiovascular -related deaths.

How to calculate your waist-width ratio

To calculate your WTH, all you need is a tape measure (and maybe a calculator). Simply measure the perimeter of your waist and divide it according to your height.

Experts say your waist should be less than half of your height, with a healthy WTHr falling between 0.4 and 0.49.

“Having a waist measurement that is less than half your height is ideal,” Molvin said.

For example, if you are 170 centimeters tall, your waist should be ideally below 85 centimeters.