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30 Jul 2008
Having excess fat around the heart could increase a person's risk of heart attack more than a high body mass index (BMI) or waist measurement, a new report suggests.
A study conducted by researchers from the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that fat deposits around the heart can lead to heart attack and stroke.
Commenting on the findings, lead author of the report Dr Jingzhong Ding, an assistant professor of gerontology said: "The distribution of body fat may be as important as the amount of body fat in determining risk of heart attacks.
"Even a thin person can have fat around the heart… Because coronary heart disease kills so many people, it is imperative to find new treatments and prevention strategies."
The study is based on a new medical theory that suggests excess fat around organs may impair their function.
Previous studies have shown that a diet rich in fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines, protects against clogged arteries and the build up of fat around the heart.
Researchers identify omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil as a source of protection against heart disease.
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