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Hands indicate heart disease risk
Netdoctor.co.uk
October 21, 2001
The lengths of a boy's fingers could indicate whether he is likely to have a heart attack before the age of 40, according to new research. Scientists at Liverpool University have found that men whose ring finger is the same length or shorter than their index finger are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Finger length is related to the balance of sex hormones in body, which influences its development both in the womb and throughout life. Scientists believe that testosterone levels are related to the incidence of heart disease in adult men. The ratio can be calculated by measuring from the base of the index finger to the tip, and from the base of the ring finger to the tip, and then dividing the first measurement by the second. The average ratio is 0.97. A measurement below 0.9 indicates that a heart attack before the age of 70 is unlikely, whereas a measurement over 1.00 suggests a greater risk. Research leader Dr John Manning said that a high ratio did not mean that a heart attack was inevitable, but suggested that such people should be encouraged to eat a low-fat, low-salt diet and take regular exercise. Heart disease is Britain's biggest killer. The team believes that their findings could help GPs identify and counsel those most at risk. Unlike other measurements such as body mass index and hip-to-waist ratio, which change over life, the finger ratio is fixed by the age of two and remains constant, potentially making it a more reliable gauge of cardiovascular risk. Dr Manning said: 'I've been talking to GPs about it. They're very interested as long as it's presented in a way they can easily use.' (The Sunday Telegraph)
For more information visit www.netdoctor.co.uk
Copyright 2001 netdoctor.co.uk
Netdoctor.co.uk
October 21, 2001
The lengths of a boy's fingers could indicate whether he is likely to have a heart attack before the age of 40, according to new research. Scientists at Liverpool University have found that men whose ring finger is the same length or shorter than their index finger are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Finger length is related to the balance of sex hormones in body, which influences its development both in the womb and throughout life. Scientists believe that testosterone levels are related to the incidence of heart disease in adult men. The ratio can be calculated by measuring from the base of the index finger to the tip, and from the base of the ring finger to the tip, and then dividing the first measurement by the second. The average ratio is 0.97. A measurement below 0.9 indicates that a heart attack before the age of 70 is unlikely, whereas a measurement over 1.00 suggests a greater risk. Research leader Dr John Manning said that a high ratio did not mean that a heart attack was inevitable, but suggested that such people should be encouraged to eat a low-fat, low-salt diet and take regular exercise. Heart disease is Britain's biggest killer. The team believes that their findings could help GPs identify and counsel those most at risk. Unlike other measurements such as body mass index and hip-to-waist ratio, which change over life, the finger ratio is fixed by the age of two and remains constant, potentially making it a more reliable gauge of cardiovascular risk. Dr Manning said: 'I've been talking to GPs about it. They're very interested as long as it's presented in a way they can easily use.' (The Sunday Telegraph)
For more information visit www.netdoctor.co.uk
Copyright 2001 netdoctor.co.uk
