How Your Height Affects Your Health Risk
QHHL 
Dec 05 2019
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0 QHHL
You probably already know that your height affects your health risk. And new research indicates that it may be even more important than previously thought.
Assessing your health and calculating your health risk can be difficult and complicated tasks. There are so many health risk factors that you need to consider. Your diet, where you live, your body type, your exercise level, they can all be important indications of your future health status. And now it seems that your height may be even more important in this calculation. This is a risk factor that you can’t change. And yet it could be pivotal in determining your risk of atrial fibrillation (A-fib).
A-fib is a common problem that can affect anyone. Normally, your heart regularly contracts and relaxes to pump blood around the body. However, when you have A-fib, the upper chamber of your heart beats irregularly. This causes an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia. It’s also a much less efficient way of transporting blood around your body. At least 2.7 million Americans experience A-fib. And many of those people don’t really understand just how dangerous it can be.
Unfortunately, A-fib can occur without symptoms or with very subtle symptoms. This makes it very difficult to diagnose. Self-monitoring over the long term is the best way to overcome this problem. It means that you’re more likely to pick up the subtle signs of trouble as soon as they occur.
A-fib is associated with an increased risk of stroke, blood clots, and heart failure. So, if you experience a fluttering heartbeat, it’s important that you get it checked by your doctor. They will be able to prescribe a treatment plan that will lessen the impact of this disorder.
A range of things can cause an irregular heartbeat. This includes long-term high blood pressure or heart disease. There are also several factors that can increase your chances of experiencing A-fib. Sleep apnea, diabetes, lung or kidney disease, and high alcohol consumption can all increase your risk. And now, there is evidence that the health risk created by your height may be a factor too.
A recent study has found a connection between A-fib and your height. The study found that taller people have a greater chance of developing A-fib. For every inch increase in height, your chances of experiencing A-fib increases by 3 percent.
Further research has found that this association may be causal. The genetic variants associated with height are strongly linked to A-fib. This suggests that increased height may be a cause of A-fib, not just associated with it. This link also stayed strong even after other risk factors for irregular heartbeat were accounted for.
This new information should help medical professionals make more accurate diagnoses. Since A-fib is so common, the number of people who should be screened for it is very large. That’s why it’s important that this group is narrowed down. And the best way to do that is by correctly identifying and screening people who have associated risk factors.
At the moment, this at-risk group is filled with people who have certain health problems. This includes high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Now, the research shows that height should be added to this screening list. It’s a health risk factor that will more accurately pinpoint people who have a higher risk of A-fib. And it could help at-risk people get identified and treated earlier.
There’s obviously no way to change your height. But you can include this factor in your health risk assessments. A-fib can be difficult to detect. But with regular and accurate health assessments at home, you’ll have a better chance of picking up the changes as soon as they occur. And this is vital if you want to avoid some very negative consequences.
If you’re concerned about a health risk, try using HomeLab to keep track of your condition and any preventative measures you take. And if you see signs of a significant problem, you should check with your doctor as soon as possible.
Tags: health risk, A-fib