Your neck measurement could reveal hidden risk of stroke and heart attack, experts claim – could YOU be at risk?
Doctors need to start measuring their patients NECKS to work out how likely they are to develop a swathe of diseases, claim experts.
Previously, GPs have used a combination of the body mass index (BMI) measurement and waist-to-hip ratios to predict a patient’s risk of dangerous and life-limiting illnesses.
But two lecturers at Kingston University say they should be focusing their attention on the circumference of their patients’ necks for a more accurate snapshot about their current—and future health.
Dr Ahmed Elbediwy a professor of biochemistry and Dr Nadine Wehida a professor of genetics and microbiology said a large measurement could signal ‘concerning’ health issues.
These include high blood pressure, the rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation, high blood sugar during pregnancy and type 2 diabetes, which all raise risk of heart disease, attacks and failure.
They warned a larger neck circumference has also been linked to a dangerous sleep condition called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) which is cited as a cause for an increased risk of heart attacks.
OSA causes people to repeatedly stop breathing while asleep—for a few seconds or more than a minute—because the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much.
The professors say the neck size that puts you at an increased risk is 17 inches (43cm) or greater for men, and 14 inches (35.5cm) or greater for women.
Experts have revealed the neck size can reveal if you’re at risk of a long list of health issues
It only takes ‘seconds’ to check, the professors said. ‘Simply wrap it around the narrowest part of your neck, ensuring the tape is snug but not tight,’ they explained.
Writing in The Conversation, they said: ‘If your neck measures above these thresholds, it’s not cause for panic – but it is worth taking seriously.
‘Neck size represents just one piece of your overall health picture but it’s an important one that’s often overlooked.’
They explained: ‘The connection lies in what neck size explains about fat distribution, particularly in the upper body.
‘This fat around your upper body releases fatty acids into your blood which can interfere with how your body manages cholesterol, blood sugar and heart rhythm.’
In particular, they said neck circumference is an indicator of visceral fat—hidden harmful fat around organs—which was recently linked to an increased risk of death.
They also highlighted a 2019 study which showed that people with thicker necks had higher rates of heart diseases like high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation.
The professors warned atrial fibrillation is ‘particularly concerning’ as it can lead to blood clots, stroke and heart failure.
It isn’t just the heart problems. They warned ‘diabetes can lead to serious long-term complications, including vision loss and limb amputations’.
Meanwhile, the professors added ‘people with sleep apnoea face higher risk of car accidents due to their exhaustion’.
But they said, the good news is there are lifestyle changes individuals with large necks can make.
They said cardiovascular exercise – which increases your heart rate like running, swimming or cycling – and weight training can lower upper-body fat.
Similarly, they explained getting good quality sleep at night supports ‘metabolic regulation’ – the process of food being broken down for energy.
If the metabolic pathways are disrupted it can prevent the heart from being able to pump blood around the body leading to heart failure.
Meanwhile, they added: ‘A balanced diet rich in pulses, fruits and vegetables provides essential nutrients without excess calories.’
It comes amid a worrying rise in heart-related deaths in the UK, with them soaring by 18 per cent from 18,693 to 21,975 between 2019 and 2023.
According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), there has been a 21 per cent rise in the number of people being diagnosed with heart failure since 2020.
This brings the figure to an all-time high at 785,00 in 2024, compared to 650,000 in March 2020.
The BHF said the concerning shift follows decades of progress that had seen annual deaths from conditions like a heart attack and stroke since half since the 1960s.
It said the recent rise could be driven by an unhealthy population, health inequalities, the pandemic and pressures on the National Health Service (NHS).
Other experts have pointed to the Covid virus as a possible cause due to the strain it puts on the heart and its link to blood flow issues.
