Waist-to-Height Ratio Beats BMI at Predicting Heart Failure Risk.

Health
Written By Tyson Junkers

A 2025 analysis within the Malmö Preventive Project (1,792 adults, ~13 years follow-up) found that a higher waist‑to‑height ratio (WtHR)—not BMI—was strongly linked to incident heart failure. For every 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in WtHR—meaning a typical increase above the average—heart failure risk jumped by 34%. Those in the top 25% for WtHR (about 0.65 or higher) had nearly triple the risk of those with lower ratios.

BMI often misses dangerous belly fat, but WtHR directly measures central adiposity, which drives metabolic and cardiovascular damage. Keeping your waist less than half your height can more accurately flag heart risk.

Ditch scale obsession—measure your waist instead. A WtHR under 0.5, combined with balanced diet and regular exercise, is your best defense against heart failure.

Tyson Junkers https://www.tjunkers.com
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