Neck circumference signals risks for heart and metabolic disease. Even normal BMI doesn’t eliminate these risks.
For many years, doctors have used measurements such as body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratios to evaluate health risks. More recently, researchers have begun to highlight another, less conventional marker: the size of the neck.
Neck size as a health signal
A broad neck may suggest physical strength, as seen in athletes like boxers or rugby players, yet scientific evidence indicates it can also be a warning sign of underlying health problems.
BMI, which calculates body fat by dividing weight by height, often provides only a partial picture. For instance, a professional bodybuilder might register a high BMI while clearly not being overweight. Neck circumference helps fill this gap by offering an additional measure of health.
Studies have shown that individuals with proportionally larger necks are at higher risk for several serious medical conditions. This is because neck size reflects how fat is distributed in the upper body, which plays a critical role in overall metabolic health.
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. Essentially, neck circumference serves as a proxy for visceral fat – the harmful fat that wraps around your organs.
Cardiovascular risks and complications
The evidence linking neck size to health problems is striking. People with thicker necks show increased rates of several cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Atrial fibrillation is particularly concerning. This condition causes irregular heartbeat and blood flow, potentially leading to blood clots and stroke. The electrical imbalance in the heart can eventually progress to heart failure.
Neck circumference also correlates with coronary heart disease, where the main arteries to the heart narrow and restrict oxygen-rich blood flow.
Diabetes and sleep disorders
But cardiovascular problems aren’t the only concern. Larger neck circumference increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Diabetes can lead to serious long-term complications, including vision loss and limb amputations.
There’s also a connection to sleep disorders. Thick necks have been linked to obstructive sleep apnea, where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This condition causes extreme daytime fatigue and strains the cardiovascular system. People with sleep apnea face higher risks of car accidents due to their exhaustion.
So what constitutes a risky neck size? For men, 17 inches (43cm) or greater increases health risks. For women, the threshold is 14 inches (35.5cm) or greater.
Perhaps most surprisingly, these risks persist even in people with normal BMI. You could have a healthy weight according to traditional measures, but still face elevated health risks due to neck circumference.
And for each additional centimeter of neck circumference beyond these thresholds, death rates and hospitalization rates increase.
What this means for you
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.
The good news is that neck circumference can change with lifestyle modifications. Cardiovascular exercise and weight training can help reduce upper-body fat. Quality sleep supports metabolic regulation and recovery. A balanced diet rich in pulses, fruits, and vegetables provides essential nutrients without excess calories.
Measuring your neck takes seconds with a tape measure. Simply wrap it around the narrowest part of your neck, ensuring the tape is snug but not tight.
This simple measurement could provide valuable insight into health risks that traditional metrics might miss. While neck circumference shouldn’t replace other health assessments, it offers another tool for understanding your cardiovascular and metabolic health.
In an era where we’re constantly seeking better ways to predict and prevent disease, sometimes the answers are literally right in front of us. Your neck might be revealing more about your health than you realize – and it’s worth paying attention.
Written by:
- Ahmed Elbediwy, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Biochemistry / Cancer Biology, Kingston University
- Nadine Wehida, Senior Lecturer in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Kingston University
Adapted from an article originally published in The Conversation.
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