Hidden fat aggravates heart problems

Increasing stomach fat especially the “hidden fat” in your abdomen is associated with newly identified and worsening heart disease risk factors, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

These adverse changes in cardiovascular risk were evident over a relatively short period of time and persisted even after accounting for changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, two commonly used methods to estimate whether someone is a healthy weight or not.

Studies have shown that people who carry excess abdominal fat around their midsection a so-called “spare tire” tend to face higher risks of heart disease compared to people who have fat elsewhere.