Waist Size May Outweigh BMI for Heart Risk | Wilmington News

New research is flipping the script on heart health: BMI might not tell the whole story. A 20-year study of over 250,000 adults reveals that waist size and waist-to-hip ratio are stronger predictors of heart attacks and strokes than overall weight. One in five people with “normal” BMI but high waist-to-hip ratios face a 50% higher risk — proving where fat is stored matters more than how much you weigh. Surprisingly, some “obese” folks with smaller waists had similar risk levels to those with healthy weights and small waists. Central adiposity — belly fat around organs — drives inflammation, blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol spikes. Women with waists over 35 inches or ratios above 0.85, and men over 40 inches or above 0.90, should consult their doctors. Measure your waist at home with a tape measure — it’s time to rethink how we assess heart disease risk. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/338c7bd7edca8585