Do YOU have a high BMI? It won’t raise the risk of a heart attack

August 1, 2016

Researchers followed identical twins who had different BMIs for 12 years
Said higher BMI doesn’t raise risk of heart attacks even if person is obese
But the heavier twin in the pair did have an increased chance of diabetes
Weight loss ‘more effective at reducing diabetes than heart problems’

Madlen Davies for MailOnline

Published:
10:00 EST, 1 August 2016

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Updated:
11:34 EST, 1 August 2016

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We are constantly told being overweight raises the risks of a plethora of diseases.

But a surprising new study reveals having a high body mass index does not increase the chances of a heart attack or an early death.

However, it is linked with developing type 2 diabetes, experts have warned.

Having a higher body mass index is not linked to a raised risk of a heart attacks or an early death, Swedish researchers have revealed

Swedish researchers looked at 4,000 genetically identical – or ‘monozygotic – twins to evaluate the risks associated with obesity.

As these twins have identical DNA, researchers can use them to examine the effects of obesity independent of genetic factors.

Professor Peter Nordström, of Umeå University, used a Swedish twin registry to identify monozygotic twins with different BMIs.

He and his team followed the twins for an average of 12.4 years, looking at whether they suffered a heart attack, were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or died early.

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He found there were were 203 heart attacks (five per cent) and 550 deaths (13.6 per cent) among the heavier twins.

They had an average BMI of 25.9 – edging them into the ‘overweight’ category.

This was compared to 209 heart attacks (5.2 per cent) and 633 deaths (15.6 per cent) among leaner twins.

They had an average BMI of 23.9, putting them in the ‘normal weight’ category.

Even when the heavier twin in the pair was considered obese (with a BMI of 30 or more) the risk of heart attack or death was no greater, researchers found.

But a higher BMI does raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, the study found. Experts said weight loss programmes may be more effective at reducing this disease rather than heart problems

But the risk of diabetes was greater in the heavier twin.

Professor Nordström said: ‘The present study was not able to verify that obesity is casually associated with an increased risk of BMI or death after consideration of genetic factors.

‘In contrast, the results revealed a significant association between obesity and diabetes after accounting for genetic factors.

He continued: ‘The association between obesity and diabetes was significantly stronger than the association with cardiovascular disease and death.

‘The finding may indicate that interventions to promote weight loss are more effective in reducing the risk of diabetes than the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.’

The research was published online in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.