Overview
- In MRI analyses of 2,244 adults without known heart disease, higher waist‑to‑hip ratio correlated with concentric remodeling marked by thicker heart muscle and smaller chamber volumes.
- These associations were stronger in men, with notable right‑ventricular involvement and subtle tissue changes detectable only with advanced cardiac MRI.
- Links between abdominal adiposity and adverse cardiac structure persisted after accounting for hypertension, smoking, diabetes and cholesterol.
- Waist‑to‑hip ratio classified more participants as having obesity than BMI in this cohort, with WHO thresholds (>0.90 men, >0.85 women) identifying 91% of men as obese versus 69% by BMI.
- Authors recommend clinicians measure waist‑to‑hip ratio and counsel lifestyle prevention, while noting the observational design and the need for prospective outcome data.