Short Stature May Pose Higher Risk of Heart Disease

            It was recently reported that short stature could increase the chances of heart disease.  Originally, researchers thought this was a joke when it was brought to their attention.  Researchers tested about 200,000 men and women and it was found that every 2.5 inches reduces the chances of heart disease by 13.5 percent.  A person that is 5 feet tall has a 30 percent higher risk of heart disease than someone who is 5 foot 6 inches.  That is a large risk over something that cannot be controlled.

            It was discovered that 180 genetic variations control height, scientists tested these variants to see if they also affected heart disease risk.  They found out that short stature was linked to high levels of LDL, cholesterol that increases heart disease risk, higher levels of triglycerides, and blood fats.  To many scientists, this was not a strong enough finding to account that heart disease and short stature were linked so research will continue.

            I found this article very interesting because of the fact that a factor that cannot be controlled can increase the chances of a highly fatal disease.  I myself am fairly short so now knowing that my risks are increased, I will do whatever is in my power to reduce them in any way.