The size of your NECK could reveal your risk of a deadly heart attack or stroke – even if you’re not overweight. Here’s how to check yours at home
Neck size could be a powerful indicator of heart disease risk, even among people of normal weight, experts have claimed.
Researchers discovered that people with wider necks were more likely to show early signs of insulin resistance – a metabolic condition linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
The findings suggest that where a person stores fat may be just as important as how much they weigh when it comes to their long-term health.
Doctors typically use body mass index (BMI) – calculated using a person’s height and weight – to assess whether someone is overweight or obese, and therefore at greater risk of serious illness.
A BMI of 25 or above is considered overweight, while 30 or more is classed as obese.
However, previous research has suggested that fat distribution may be a better predictor of certain health risks than weight alone – meaning even people with a healthy BMI could be in danger.
The new study, presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago, analysed health data from 197 healthy adults recruited from a Philadelphia hospital.
Researchers measured participants’ neck and waist circumferences before testing whether they suffered insulin resistance – a condition in which the body’s cells become less responsive to the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar.
Neck size could be a powerful indicator of heart disease risk, even among those of normal weight, a study has suggested
Insulin resistance is closely linked to metabolic syndrome – a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, raised blood sugar and unhealthy cholesterol levels, which can damage blood vessels.
Previous research has found that those with metabolic syndrome are around twice as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke compared with those without it.
Crucially, these problems can develop even in people who are not overweight, meaning they may be unaware of the danger.
In the new study, researchers found that people with larger necks were more likely to show signs of insulin resistance.
Men with necks measuring more than 16 inches and women with necks wider than 13.5 inches were more likely to have the condition.
The association remained even after waist size was taken into account, suggesting that neck circumference could reveal health risks that conventional measurements miss.
‘Although not routinely measured in health care, neck circumference is a quick, accurate and comfortable measurement that reflects upper body fat,’ said Dr Cynthia Cheng, the study’s lead author.
‘It is a practical, standardised, non-invasive and patient-friendly alternative to BMI or waist circumference that can be used in healthcare or easily measured by patients themselves.’
She added that failing to consider fat stored around the neck could mean early warning signs of metabolic problems are overlooked, delaying opportunities to prevent cardiovascular disease.
‘Routine measurement may facilitate earlier identification of patients at increased risk and support effective preventative cardiovascular care, especially in underserved communities.’
The findings add to growing evidence that neck size could provide valuable clues about cardiovascular health.
A 2022 study identified an association between larger neck circumference and atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke and heart failure.
A wider neck has also been linked to obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep and which is itself associated with cardiovascular problems.
Some research suggests people with untreated sleep apnoea face roughly twice the risk of a heart attack compared with those without the condition.
