British researchers have found that for each 4 point increase in body mass index (BMI), the risk of ischemic heart disease increases by 52% when factoring in genetics. This evidence strengthens the causal link between increased BMI and heart disease. The authors suggested that the reason for this association is that higher BMI influences well-known intermediate risk factors like hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
PositiveTip: The evidence continues to grow–lowering your BMI to a healthy range will lower your risk of heart disease.