Waist and height measurements predict heart failure risk better than BMI: Study
A person's waist-to-height ratio could be a more accurate way to predict the risk of developing heart failure than body mass index (BMI), according to new research presented at the Heart Failure 2025 congress of the European Society of Cardiology.The study, conducted by researchers from Lund University and Malmo University Hospital in Sweden, followed 1,792 people over a median period of 12.6 years.advertisementIt found that those with a higher waist-to-height ratio were more likely to develop heart failure compared to those with lower ratios.
WHY WAIST-TO-HEIGHT RATIO MATTERSWhile BMI is commonly used to measure obesity, it does not consider how fat is distributed in the body."BMI can be influenced by factors like sex and ethnicity and doesn't show where the fat is located. Waist-to-hip ratio, on the other hand, focuses on central fat—around organs—which is more harmful," said study author Dr. Amra Jujic.The participants, aged between 45 and 73 at the beginning of the study, were divided into groups based on their blood sugar levels: normal, impaired fasting glucose, and diabetes.About 29% of the group were women, and the average age was 67.KEY FINDINGS OF THE STUDYResearchers observed 132 cases of heart failure during the follow-up period.advertisementThey found that for each standard deviation increase in waist-to-hip ratio, the risk of heart failure rose by 34%, even after accounting for other health factors.People with the highest waist-to-hip ratio (median of 0.65) were nearly three times more likely to develop heart failure compared to others.'This is a strong indication that waist-to-hip ratio is a reliable measure,' said co-author Dr. John Molvin. 'Ideally, your waist should be less than half your height. For example, if you are 170 cm tall, your waist should be under 85 cm.'MOVING BEYOND BMIDr. Molvin added that waist-to-hip ratio could be more useful than BMI when identifying patients who may benefit from obesity treatments.'Our next step is to see if waist-to-height ratio also predicts other health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure in larger populations,' he said.The findings could help doctors better identify and manage people at risk of heart failure.
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Time of India
02-06-2025
- Time of India
Shocking! 183-million-year-old Dinosaur-era sea creature found with skin and scales intact
In a discovery that's catching the attention of scientists, researchers have found a remarkably well-preserved fossil of a marine reptile that's challenging what we thought we knew about how these creatures lived. The fossil, identified as Plesiopterys wildi, is around 183 million years old and was uncovered in southern Germany. What makes it especially rare is the presence of preserved soft tissues, like skin, scales, and keratin, which are almost never found in marine reptiles from the Jurassic period. The findings, published in Current Biology, offer a rare and detailed look at the texture, colouring, and movement of plesiosaurs– long-necked marine reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic era. Until now, scientists had to rely mostly on bones to imagine what these animals looked like, but this discovery gives a much clearer picture. Fossil found in 1940, but only studied recently The fossil specimen, labelled MH 7, was originally discovered in 1940 near Holzmaden, a region known for its fossil-rich Posidonia Shale. However, the specimen remained unprepared for decades. It was only in 2020 that researchers began to remove the surrounding limestone carefully and realised the fossil contained patches of soft tissue. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo 'Fossilized soft tissue, such as skin and internal organs, is exceptionally rare. We used a broad range of techniques to identify smooth skin in the tail region as well as scales along the rear edge of the flippers. This provided us with unparalleled insights into the appearance and biology of these long-extinct reptiles,' says Miguel Marx, a PhD student at Lund University and the study's lead author, as quoted by Lund University. Flippers show signs of specialised movement When researchers examined the fossil under a microscope, they found that the flippers were covered with tiny, triangular scales made of beta-keratin—a tough protein found in reptiles. These sturdy flippers likely helped the animal move with precision and control underwater. On the other hand, the skin on the tail was smoother and made of alpha-keratin, suggesting it had a different function. This difference in texture shows that various parts of the body were specially adapted for different roles in swimming and steering. 'Apart from the mosaic of smooth skin and scales, it was an incredible moment to visualize the cells in thin sections of the fossilized plesiosaur's skin. I was shocked when I saw skin cells that had been preserved for 183 million years. It was almost like looking at modern skin,' says Marx, as quoted by Lund University. Traces of pigment suggest patterned colouring One of the more unexpected findings was the discovery of melanosomes– tiny structures that carry pigment– in the skin of the tail. This suggests that the animal may have had patterns or variations in skin colour, instead of the plain or pale look that scientists usually imagine for marine reptiles. The researchers noted that this pigmentation could have played a role in camouflage or communication, though further analysis would be needed to confirm such functions. Discovery of a tail fin adds new clues Along with the preserved skin and scales, researchers also found a soft-tissue tail fin– something rarely seen in plesiosaur fossils. This broad and flexible structure suggests the tail may have helped the animal steer more effectively or even boosted its speed while swimming. Exceptional preservation thanks to Posidonia Shale The exceptional condition of the fossil is thanks to the unique environment where it was preserved. The Posidonia Shale– an ancient seabed with very low oxygen levels– slows down the process of decay, sometimes allowing soft tissues to fossilise along with bones. This kind of preservation is extremely rare in marine reptiles, which makes MH 7 a remarkable find and an important discovery for paleontologists. Adding detail to the story of Plesiosaur evolution Most studies on plesiosaurs have focused only on their bones, but this fossil gives a much fuller picture of the animal's biology. The preserved soft tissues offer new insights into how different parts of its body worked and how these features may have evolved over time. According to the research team, these findings may also contribute to understanding how plesiosaurs adapted to specific environments over time. 'Our findings help us create more accurate life reconstructions of plesiosaurs, something that has been extremely difficult since they were first studied over 200 years ago. Also, the well-preserved German fossil really highlights the potential for soft tissue in providing valuable insights into the biology of these long-extinct animals,' explains Marx, as quoted by Lund University. After sitting untouched for nearly 80 years, this discovery is now offering one of the most detailed views yet into the biology of a creature that swam the Earth's oceans almost 200 million years ago. The MH 7 fossil not only deepens our understanding of plesiosaurs but also highlights how valuable it can be to revisit and study old, forgotten specimens. Thumb image credit: X/@JoschuaKnuppe (Illustration of "Skin, scales, and cells in a Jurassic plesiosaur")
India Today
19-05-2025
- India Today
Waist and height measurements predict heart failure risk better than BMI: Study
A person's waist-to-height ratio could be a more accurate way to predict the risk of developing heart failure than body mass index (BMI), according to new research presented at the Heart Failure 2025 congress of the European Society of study, conducted by researchers from Lund University and Malmo University Hospital in Sweden, followed 1,792 people over a median period of 12.6 found that those with a higher waist-to-height ratio were more likely to develop heart failure compared to those with lower ratios. WHY WAIST-TO-HEIGHT RATIO MATTERSWhile BMI is commonly used to measure obesity, it does not consider how fat is distributed in the body."BMI can be influenced by factors like sex and ethnicity and doesn't show where the fat is located. Waist-to-hip ratio, on the other hand, focuses on central fat—around organs—which is more harmful," said study author Dr. Amra participants, aged between 45 and 73 at the beginning of the study, were divided into groups based on their blood sugar levels: normal, impaired fasting glucose, and 29% of the group were women, and the average age was FINDINGS OF THE STUDYResearchers observed 132 cases of heart failure during the follow-up found that for each standard deviation increase in waist-to-hip ratio, the risk of heart failure rose by 34%, even after accounting for other health with the highest waist-to-hip ratio (median of 0.65) were nearly three times more likely to develop heart failure compared to others.'This is a strong indication that waist-to-hip ratio is a reliable measure,' said co-author Dr. John Molvin. 'Ideally, your waist should be less than half your height. For example, if you are 170 cm tall, your waist should be under 85 cm.'MOVING BEYOND BMIDr. Molvin added that waist-to-hip ratio could be more useful than BMI when identifying patients who may benefit from obesity treatments.'Our next step is to see if waist-to-height ratio also predicts other health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure in larger populations,' he findings could help doctors better identify and manage people at risk of heart failure.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Your waist size matters. Study says, it can predict heart failure
For years, the risk of heart failure has been primarily linked to obesity and Body Mass Index (BMI). However, a new study presented at Heart Failure 2025 suggests that waist-to-height ratio may be a more accurate indicator. Researchers from Lund University in Sweden found that fat distribution—specifically around the waist—has a greater impact on heart health than overall body weight, highlighting the need to shift focus from BMI to body fat placement. Also read | Cardiac surgeon reveals why controlling high blood pressure is the 1st step to preventing heart failure The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology's scientific congress in Belgrade, Serbia on May 18. Dr. Amra Jujic from Lund University, who presented the study said, 'BMI is the most common measure of obesity, but it is influenced by factors such as sex and ethnicity and does not take into account the distribution of body fat. Waist-to-height ratio is considered a more robust measure of central adiposity, the harmful deposition of fat around visceral organs.' The study was conducted on 1,792 participants from the Malmö Preventive Project for a median of 12.6 years, within the age range of 45 to 73 years. Individuals were selected on the basis of equal thirds having normal blood glucose levels, impaired fasting glucose, or diabetes. During the course of the study, 132 participants developed heart failure. When probed, it was observed that the waist-to-height ratio had a significant impact on heart health risk. Also read | Cardiologist shares 10 things he does every day to lower heart disease risk: 10,000 steps to start the day with protein Explaining what an ideal waistline should be for optimal heart health, study co-author Dr. John Molvin from Lund University and Malmö University Hospital said, 'Having a waist measurement that is less than half your height is ideal.' The researchers concluded that measuring waist circumference during routine blood pressure checkups should become standard practice, as it provides valuable insight into body fat distribution. They emphasized that where fat is stored in the body plays a crucial role in heart health—often more so than total body weight. These findings could potentially revolutionize the approach to obesity treatment, shifting the focus from weight alone to fat location and its health impact. Also read | Waist size in men could better predict risk of cancer than BMI, finds study: 'Extra 4 inches increased cancer risk by…' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
