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Bioengineer
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Fatty Muscle Tissue Increases Heart Disease Risk Independent of Body Weight
- Intermuscular fat, a type of body fat hidden within muscles, can increase the risk of severe cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and heart failure.
- Traditional measurements of body fat may not provide a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s cardiovascular health because this type of fat can elevate risk even among those with normal BMI.
- A cohort of 669 patients were evaluated for chest pain or shortness of breath but did not show obstructive coronary artery disease.
- Underlying this research, advanced diagnostic techniques were used, including cardiac positron emission tomography and computed tomography.
- Researchers discovered higher levels of intermuscular fat were linked to increased incidences of coronary microvascular dysfunction, leading to a 7% increase in future severe heart disease risk.
- Subcutaneous fat, the fat located just beneath the skin, did not exhibit the same detrimental effects on heart health that intermuscular fat did.
- Interestingly, fat distribution and quality can be markers of inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, potentially leading to chronic health issues.
- The ramifications of this research extend beyond academic interest as Professor Taqueti and her team are exploring various treatments and lifestyle strategies to mitigate the risks associated with fatty muscles.
- Through innovative research design and methodical analysis, the link between intermuscular fat and cardiovascular risk opens up new avenues for understanding and mitigating heart disease.
- The study serves as a reminder that ongoing research into the biological implications of body fat is essential for protecting heart health.
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