Neck Thickness May Indicate Risk of Heart Disease and Diabetes

SadaNews - A recent medical study has revealed an unexpected indicator that may reflect cardiovascular health, as it has been shown that neck circumference can serve as an early warning for the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, even after considering indicators like body mass index and waist circumference, according to the British newspaper "The Telegraph."

These findings are based on an analysis of data from the "Framingham Heart Study," a long-running medical study that has been ongoing since 1948 to track the causes of heart disease.

In a subsequent follow-up in 2022, researchers found that an increase in neck circumference is also associated with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that is one of the leading causes of stroke and heart failure. A thick neck has also been linked to a higher likelihood of sleep apnea, a known factor associated with heart disease.

Dr. Mike Delks, an ENT surgeon at the "Health Hub" in London, states that "a neck circumference exceeding 17 inches in men or 16 inches in women should be viewed as a warning sign that warrants a medical examination."

He adds that an increase in neck thickness usually reflects an accumulation of fat in the upper body, which is often related to visceral fat surrounding internal organs, known for its direct relationship to the risks of heart disease and stroke.

However, experts affirm that individuals with a large muscular build, such as rugby players, are not necessarily at risk as the increase in their neck size is a result of muscle mass rather than fat accumulation.

Neck… A Hidden Mirror of Body Health

Delks points out that the neck may reveal seven warning signs that require attention and early medical examination:

- Sagging or drooping: Indicates a potential risk of sleep apnea due to pressure from fatty tissues on the airway when lying down.

- A lump or swelling at the front or side of the neck: May indicate thyroid enlargement, which might be accompanied by weight loss, palpitations, and excessive sweating.

- Persistent neck pain: Could be a symptom of issues with the cervical vertebrae or spinal cord, or in some cases, tumors or deep inflammation.

- Swelling with difficulty swallowing: May reflect a deficiency in iodine, a disorder that has recently re-emerged due to shifts towards plant-based diets.

- Lumps or nodules on the sides: Often indicate swollen lymph nodes during infection resistance and, in rare cases, may be linked to oral or tongue cancer.

- Prominent vein in the neck: Indicates elevated venous pressure or poor blood pumping from the heart, which physicians note as a sign of heart failure.

- Pulsatile mass: May indicate an aneurysm or benign tumor in the carotid artery, both of which require urgent medical evaluation.

Frequently Asked Medical Questions

Cardiologists examine the jugular vein in the neck to assess central blood pressure, as elevated levels may indicate signs of heart failure or fluid retention. Dentists also examine the neck and jawline to detect early-stage head and neck cancers.

Persistent neck pain may indicate infections, tumors, or deficiencies in vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin D, B12, magnesium, and calcium, which play important roles in muscle and nerve health.