Belly Fat Linked to Significant Heart Damage, Study Finds
São Paulo, Brazil – May 12, 2025 – A new study reveals that abdominal fat poses a greater risk to heart health than previously understood, causing structural changes that can lead to heart failure. Researchers found that increased abdominal fat correlates with a gain in heart muscle mass – specifically in the ventricles responsible for pumping blood – without a proportional increase in the organ’s overall volume.
The research, presented at a recent scientific event, demonstrates that focusing solely on Body Mass Index (BMI) can underestimate the damage caused by excess abdominal fat. “Thus, the heart muscle thickens, but the volumes do not increase proportionally,” explains researcher Dr. Erley. This structural alteration diminishes the heart’s ability to effectively fill with and pump blood, potentially impairing its relaxation and increasing the risk of heart failure.
the study also highlighted a significant sex-based difference. Men were found to be more susceptible to these cardiac structural changes than women, experiencing a greater increase in cardiac mass, particularly in the right ventricle, with no corresponding volume expansion. Researchers attribute this disparity to the protective effects of estrogen in pre-menopausal women, noting its positive impact on metabolism, fat distribution, and anti-inflammatory properties. After menopause, when estrogen levels decline, women become more vulnerable, though not to the same degree as men.
Because the impact on men is primarily observed in the right ventricle – responsible for pumping blood to the lungs – the study suggests abdominal fat can specifically affect breathing and lung pressure. “Women are also at risk of suffering the effects of fat on the heart after menopause, even if to a lesser extent,” Dr.Erley stated.
The findings underscore the importance of monitoring abdominal circumference,particularly for men,as a key indicator of cardiovascular risk.
