Excess Fat Stiffens Teen Blood Vessels
29th Sep 2005, 18:58 GMT
Excess body fat in teenagers appears to be linked to less elastic blood vessels, a condition that can lead to cardiovascular disease. New research published in the A merican Heart Association’s journal Circulation indicates that excess fat was is more strongly linked to stiffer blood vessels than cholesterol levels. The elasticity of blood vessels makes it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. The heart has to work harder to pump the blood through stiff blood vessels and that can lead to high blood pressure. The study also found an association between less elastic vessels and the number of signs of metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that increases the risk for heart disease and diabetes. Summary of the study available here. Read Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments