Measuring the size of your neck could provide a quick, vital insight into your metabolic and cardiovascular health, research has shown.
While traditional measures such as body mass index are more well known, a simple check of neck circumference could provide important clues about a person’s health, even among those with a normal BMI.
Neck width may indicate strength in some people, such as athletes, but research shows that among many people with thicker necks, there are higher rates of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
This is because of fat distribution, most notably in the upper body. If fat is stored in the upper torso, fatty acids in the bloodstream impact cholesterol, blood sugar, and heart rhythm. It means that a wide neck is a visible sign of dangerous visceral fat which amasses around internal organs.
How to measure your neck: Use a flexible tape measure around the narrowest part of your neck, keeping it snug but not tight.
Atrial fibrillation brings greater risk of blood clots and stroke because of irregular heartbeat, which in time, can put strain on the heart and result in heart failure.
It is not just heart health that is a concern – people with wider necks also face a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
In addition, it poses a greater risk of obstructive sleep apnoea, when breathing pauses and resumes during sleep. This can place extra strain on the heart and blood vessels.
What is most surprising is that the link between a wider neck and health outcomes is not just seen in people who are overweight.
People with a normal BMI may still face increased risk if their neck exceeds the normal thresholds – 17 inches (43 cm) or more for men, and 14 inches (35.5 cm) or more for women.
A striking find is that for every additional centimetre beyond these thresholds, there is an increase in risk of hospitalisation and early death.
Experts say neck measurements, which are quick and easy to do, could complement existing health checks and may even flag up risks that traditional markers miss. Neck circumference can be reduced through exercise, strength training, getting enough sleep and eating plenty of fruit, vegetables and pulses to reduce the amount of visceral fat.
