Fat around the arteries ‘could lead to heart disease’

Fat located around the outside of the body's major arteries can increase a person's risk of developing heart disease, American scientists have suggested, which could provide people with the motivation to lose weight.

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) conducted a study and found that this arterial fat could particularly increase individuals with diabetes' risk of cardiovascular disease.

"These findings will help us discover targeted therapies and may lead to quicker diagnosis, impacting the way physicians diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease," said Dr David Manka, a researcher in the division of cardiovascular diseases at UC.

The results of the study were presented at the American Heart Association's Russell Ross Memorial Lectureship in Vascular Biology: Emerging Concepts in Vascular Disease on November 16th.

Carrying excess body fat can also increase a person's risk of developing endometrial cancer, a study conducted by researchers from Yale School of Public Health found recently.

Where on your body do you think you carry most of your weight?