Association between height loss and cardiovascular disease in the Korean elderly

There is solid evidence regarding the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in shorter people, but data remain limited.

This study sought to determine whether height loss is associated with an increased incidence of CVD. From the Korean National Health Insurance Service, data of 134,952 individuals with available information on height loss was obtained.

Height loss as percentages was measured 3–5 years from the baseline height.

Adults with height loss of > 2% had a greater risk of incident CVD than those with no height loss. This finding was statistically significant both in the original- and propensity score-matched cohorts.

The increased risk for ischemic stroke was significant in the male subgroups, in line with the degree of height loss.

Overall, height loss is associated with an increased risk of subsequent ischemic stroke in Korean men.

The significance of height loss in cases of ischemic stroke was partially explained by the outstanding incidence of ischemic stroke in our cohort, compared with that of hemorrhagic stroke or myocardial infarction.

Additionally, from the traditional mechanistic perspective, higher luminal pressure and increased shearing stress from height loss, particularly in the cerebral artery, may accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis, which leads to ischemic stroke.

Published: 15 February 2022

source:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-06594-w

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-06594-w