Overview
- A Communications Medicine analysis of 33,307 adults in Canada and the U.K. used MRI and ultrasound to assess internal fat and carotid artery health.
- Higher visceral fat showed the strongest association with carotid wall thickening and plaque, while liver fat displayed a weaker yet significant link.
- These relationships held after adjustments for cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI and waist size, pointing to risk that traditional metrics can miss.
- People with a normal BMI can harbor metabolically active internal fat that injures arteries, prompting calls for imaging-based assessments in clinical practice.
- Experts highlight lifestyle steps to reduce visceral fat, including regular aerobic and strength exercise, healthy eating, good sleep, stress reduction and limited alcohol, with some noting elevated vulnerability in groups such as South Asians.