In women, higher body fat may protect against heart disease death, study shows

FINDINGSA new UCLA study shows that while men and women who have high muscle mass are less likely to die from heart disease, it also appears that women who have higher levels of body fat — regardless of their muscle mass — have a greater degree of protection than women with less fat.The researchers analyzed national health survey data collected over a 15-year period and found that heart disease –related death in women with high muscle mass and high body fat was 42% lower than in a comparison group of women with low muscle mass and low body fat. However, women who had high muscle mass and low body fat did not appear have a significant advantage over the comparison group.Among men, on the other hand, while having high muscle mass and high body fat decreased their risk by 26% (compared to those with low muscle mass and low body fat), having high muscle mass and low body fat decreased their risk by 60%.BACKGROUNDThe American Heart Association estimates that 5  million men and 3 million women have heart attacks annually. Yet despite this wide gender gap and an overall decrease in heart attack–related deaths for both men and women over the past 50 years, an equal number of men and women still die from heart disease.In addition, mortality among women over those five decades has fallen at a slower rate than for men, and the incidence of heart attacks appears to be increasing among women between the ages of 35 and 54. Recent research has also found that women have significant...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news