Heart disease is a broad term describing a number of conditions that affect the heart and circulation. There are several factors that can increase the risk of heart disease, and some of these may be beyond an individual’s control in adulthood.
A person's height can affect many aspects of their life, including their feelings and their ability to engage in certain activities, and in some cases, their ability to participate in specific sports. One study found that height may determine a person's lifespan and the diseases they may encounter. A study conducted in 2010 at the University of Tampere in Finland found that shorter individuals have an increased risk of heart disease.
For the purposes of the study, short men were defined as those measuring less than five feet five inches, while short women were those shorter than five feet. In contrast, men were considered tall if they were five feet nine and a half inches or taller, and women were considered tall if they were five feet five and a half inches or taller.
After analyzing 52 studies, researchers concluded that shorter individuals were 1.5 times more likely to suffer from heart disease due to their height. Furthermore, short men were 37% more likely to die from any cause compared to taller men, while short women were 55% more likely to die from any cause.
When it comes to heart failure, shorter individuals were 52% more likely to experience a heart attack compared to taller individuals. At the time of the research, scientists could not explain the reason for the increased risk among shorter people. Researchers speculated that shorter individuals may have narrower arteries. Moreover, height is not the only factor that increases or decreases a person's risk of heart disease; a short person who eats healthily and exercises may not be at higher risk for a heart attack than an inactive, taller person, according to the British newspaper The Express.
