Neck size linked to increased stroke risk, experts say

 Ask your incompetent? doctor EXACTLY what you are supposed to do about this. My neck size went from 16.5 inches to 17.5 inches post stroke because my doctor and therapists COMPLETELY FUCKING FAILED TO GET ME 100% RECOVERED, so I could continue all the exercises I did to keep my weight in check!

Neck size linked to increased stroke risk, experts say

Doctors should measure patients’ neck circumference to assess stroke risk, as larger measurements could indicate serious health problems, experts have warned.

Two lecturers at Kingston University say neck size offers a more accurate insight into health than body mass index (BMI) or waist-to-hip ratio.

Is the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) better at this? Mine is 38/73 inches = 0.52054 My BMI is 28.2 I think I'm pretty good.

They note that neck circumferences of 17 inches (43cm) or more for men and 14 inches (35.5cm) or more for women are associated with higher health risks.

Dr Ahmed Elbediwy, professor of biochemistry, and Dr Nadine Wehida, professor of genetics and microbiology, said larger neck sizes may signal several concerning conditions, including high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, high blood sugar during pregnancy and type 2 diabetes — all of which increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack and heart failure.

They also warned that a large neck circumference has been linked to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep because throat muscles relax too much.

OSA raises heart attack risk and can also cause exhaustion-related accidents.

Writing in The Conversation, 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.”

Neck circumference indicates levels of visceral fat — hidden fat stored around organs — which has been linked to an increased risk of death.

A 2019 study found that people with thicker necks had higher rates of heart disease, including high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation — an irregular heart rhythm — is “particularly concerning” because it can lead to blood clots, stroke and heart failure, they said.

Diabetes, they added, can cause serious long-term complications such as vision loss and limb amputation.

Measuring neck size takes only seconds, according to the professors.

“Simply wrap it around the narrowest part of your neck, ensuring the tape is snug but not tight,” they advised.

“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 recommend lifestyle changes for those with larger neck measurements, including cardiovascular exercise such as running, swimming or cycling, alongside weight training to reduce upper-body fat.(Not possible due to doctor failures!)

Getting enough quality sleep helps with “metabolic regulation” — the process by which food is converted into energy.

“When these pathways are disrupted, it can prevent the heart from pumping blood efficiently, leading to heart failure.

“A balanced diet rich in pulses, fruits and vegetables provides essential nutrients without excess calories,” they added.(Nothing EXACT HERE!)

The warning comes amid a rise in heart-related deaths in the UK, which increased by 18 per cent from 18,693 to 21,975 between 2019 and 2023.

According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), heart failure diagnoses have risen 21 per cent since 2020, reaching a record 785,000 in 2024 compared with 650,000 in March 2020.

The BHF said the reversal follows decades of progress in reducing deaths from heart disease and stroke, which had halved since the 1960s.

It suggests the increase may be linked to an unhealthy population, healthcare pressures, and lingering effects of the pandemic, while other experts point to Covid-related heart strain as a potential factor.

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