Copyright smh
According to new research, a thick neck can be an accurate predictor of cardiovascular risk, as well as indicate type 2 diabetes – even after adjusting for BMI and waist circumference. This was the conclusion of a 2010 analysis of data from the Framingham Heart Study, a long-running American research project into heart disease that began in 1948. In 2022, researchers using the same data also established a link between neck circumference and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), which can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure. In addition to this, large necks are also associated with sleep disorders, particularly sleep apnoea, which itself can lead to heart disease and stroke. As Dr Mike Dilkes, an ENT consultant at London’s Health Hub, says: “Generally, if a man’s neck is above 17 inches [43cm] in circumference, this could be a warning sign for several conditions.”
