Heart disease is a highly prevalent and dangerous condition that plagues millions of people around the world.
While conclusive tests exist to check for the presence of heart disease or determine its severity, more subtle clues may manifest on the external parts of our body. One such indicator is the perimeter of the throat, which can offer clues about heart disease danger for some individuals.
The Relationship Between Throat Perimeter and Heart Disease
While it is not an established method of detecting heart disease in every case, the perimeter of the throat, especially in obese individuals, can indicate the possibility of heart disease.
In obese people, an increase in the thickness of the neck occurs due to excess fat which can eventually cause inflammation of blood vessels reducing their elasticity, and resulting in atherosclerosis which is a leading cause of heart disease worldwide. The condition can also increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) including atrial fibrillation and an increased risk of stroke.
The risk of heart disease-associated with the excess fat around the neck may be increased in the presence of other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
How to Check the Perimeter of Your Throat for Heart Disease Danger
Measuring the perimeter of your neck is simple, and you can use a piece of string or a flexible measuring tape for this purpose.
Wrap the measuring tape around your neck, just below your Adam’s apple, while keeping the tape parallel to the floor, and read the measurement. Take the measurement twice to receive accurate results, and if necessary, ask someone to help or consider seeking assistance from a health professional.
Normal vs. Dangerous Neck Perimeter
A neck perimeter of less than 16.5 inches (42 cm) in women and less than 17.5 inches (44 cm) in men is considered normal.
On the other hand, a neck perimeter of more than 16.5 inches (42 cm) in women and more than 17.5 inches (44 cm) in men is suggested as a danger of heart disease.
In particular, a greater than 16.5 inches (42 cm) and 17.5 inches (44 cm) neck circumference in women and men, respectively has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of central obesity and lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations, both of which are risk factors for various metabolic and cardiovascular conditions like heart disease.
Measuring Neck Perimeter in Children
For children, the procedure is a bit different. Place the tape measure around the widest part of the neck just below the Adam’s apple.
Make sure that the tape measure is against the skin without pressing down while the child standing up straight with his/her head held up. Read the measurement and record it, and it’s best to compare the result with growth charts and take action accordingly if the measurement indicates the risk of complications such as heart disease.
Preventing Heart Disease
The most effective way to prevent heart disease is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a nutritious diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, and attending regular medical check-ups to be aware of underlying conditions such as High lipid levels and elevated Blood Pressure, which are modifiable risk factors for heart disease.
Conclusion
The perimeter of the throat can provide an insight into heart disease danger, primarily for obese individuals. The neck’s perimeter can indicate a range of metabolic abnormalities associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Measuring neck perimeter is, therefore, an easy and helpful test to use as an initial screening tool. It’s also important to emphasize that other factors can have a direct impact on the risk of heart disease and must all be taken into account.
Taking steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle and attending regular medical check-ups can help reduce the risk of heart disease and lead to better health outcomes.