Heart Fat Predicts Hardened Arteries Better than Belly Fat

Unseen fat deposits hidden around the heart may contribute more to the potentially deadly hardening of arteries than visible body fat, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology.

The National Institutes of Health researchers asked 183 people with an average age of 61 to undergo a series of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans to determine their levels of pericardial fat and arterial plaque build-up. Pericardial fat is found in the area surrounding the heart and just behind the sternum.

Though most were slightly overweight, the study participants did not have symptoms of heart disease. However, the scans showed that those who had a significant amount of pericardial fat also had detectable levels of coronary plaque.

The researchers concluded that pericardial fat volume seemed to have a stronger correlation to the accumulation of coronary plaque than either body mass index or waist circumference.

Different people are predisposed to deposit fat in different areas, so some pericardial fat is not necessarily cause for alarm. But the study authors noted that pericardial fat is often found in people who are overweight or obese, underscoring the importance of leading a lifestyle that includes exercise and a healthy diet.

The American Heart Association estimates nearly one in three adults has one or more types of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death around the world.
Source: agingcare.com

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