Coronary artery disease (CAD) stands as the most prevalent type of heart disease in the U.S. (via the CDC). It happens when plaque, made mostly out of cholesterol, builds up in the arteries. Over time, this plaque buildup narrows the arteries, restricting and potentially blocking blood flow, which could be fatal. Yet, surprisingly, taller people may have an advantage when it comes to CAD. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, height and other body measurements are directly linked to the size of your heart’s arteries. This means that shorter people may have smaller arteries compared to taller people. As a result, even a lesser amount of plaque in shorter people’s arteries could lead to a higher likelihood of developing CAD. Additionally, the study says that a shorter stature is associated with other risk factors for CAD, such as high blood pressure, high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, and diabetes.
Additionally, another study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology also found that taller folks tend to have lower levels of body fat, triglycerides, and cholesterol and better lung function, all of which contribute to a protective effect against CAD. In fact, the study determined that for every two-inch increase in height, there’s a 10% reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), a type of CAD.