TIME TO EXERCISE –
Dec. 1, 2025 – While 69% of men and 56% women were overweight or obese those numbers were 91% and 64%, respectively, when using WHR. Overall, participants with a high WHR were associated with multiple heart changes only visible when reviewing advanced cardiac MRI results. This included a thickening of the heart muscle and smaller heart chamber volumes. These risks were especially high in male participants.
Researchers believe this is an early sign of cardiac stress, providing a helpful look at how abdominal fat impacts a person’s breathing and their lungs.
“The sex-specific differences suggest that male patients may be more vulnerable to the structural effects of obesity on the heart, a finding not widely reported in earlier studies,” Erley explained. “Rather than focusing on reducing overall weight, middle-aged adults should focus on preventing abdominal fat accumulation through regular exercise, a balanced diet and timely medical intervention, if necessary.”
Erley also emphasized that radiologists and cardiologists alike should pay more attention to abdominal obesity and its potential impact on heart patients.
