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Intermuscular Fat: An Underestimated Risk for Heart Health

An Underestimated Risk for Heart Health
01/20/2025
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What's New

Recent findings highlight intermuscular fat as a critical measure of heart disease risk, independent of traditional metrics like BMI.

Significance

The study reveals that intermuscular fat increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, independently of BMI, highlighting the inadequacy of current obesity metrics.

Quick Summary

The study, published in the European Heart Journal, conducted by Professor Viviany Taqueti and her team, investigates the role of intermuscular fat in heart disease risk. With a cohort of 669 individuals, the research shows that intermuscular fat significantly raises the risk of coronary microvascular dysfunction and subsequent serious heart conditions, independent of BMI. Through advanced imaging techniques, the study underscores the potential for new approaches in evaluating cardiovascular risk and emphasizes the need for further research into treatment strategies targeting muscle fat.

Understanding Intermuscular Fat

Intermuscular fat is a critical factor in assessing cardiovascular risk, apart from BMI. The study identifies intermuscular fat as a distinct and significant risk factor for heart disease, separate from BMI. Traditional metrics such as BMI do not adequately capture the nuances of body fat distribution and their associated risks.

Professor Viviany Taqueti, the study's lead author, notes, "Obesity is a global threat to cardiovascular health, yet BMI remains a flawed marker of risk prognosis, particularly in women."

The study suggests that intermuscular fat may contribute to coronary microvascular dysfunction, a condition where small blood vessels in the heart are damaged. This dysfunction can lead to serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, independent of a person's BMI.

Assessing the Risks

Increased intermuscular fat correlates with higher risks of cardiac events. The presence of intermuscular fat correlates with increased risks of CMD and heart disease, independent of BMI. By examining the correlation between intermuscular fat and cardiac events, the study provides evidence for a paradigm shift in heart disease risk assessment.

The study followed 669 patients over approximately six years, utilizing PET/CT scans to assess heart function and body composition. Results indicate that intermuscular fat increases the likelihood of CMD and heart disease.

Notably, for every 1% increase in intermuscular fat, there is a 2% rise in CMD risk and a 7% increase in the likelihood of severe heart disease. This underscores the importance of considering intermuscular fat in risk assessments.

According to the researchers, "People with higher levels of intermuscular fat and evidence of CMD are at an especially high risk of death, heart attack, and heart failure."

Implications for Treatment

Understanding intermuscular fat's impact can guide personalized treatment strategies. Targeting intermuscular fat through tailored interventions could mitigate heart disease risk. If intermuscular fat significantly contributes to heart disease, then reducing it could lower cardiovascular risk.

The need to reassess traditional heart disease risk metrics is evident. Current treatments focus on overall fat reduction, but targeting muscle fat specifically might offer better outcomes.

Professor Taqueti emphasizes the potential benefits of personalized treatment plans that reduce intermuscular fat, suggesting exercise and new therapeutic approaches as possible options.

She states, "We need to understand how new therapies affect muscle fat, lean tissue, and ultimately heart health."

Citations

  • Taqueti, V. (2025). Intermuscular fat increases risk of heart disease independent of BMI. European Heart Journal. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehv871
  • European Society of Cardiology. (2025). ESC TV Today: Latest Updates on Cardiovascular Health. Retrieved from https://www.escardio.org/
Schedule19 Feb 2025