A new study has revealed that fat stored in muscles can significantly increase the risk of heart disease, even in individuals with a normal body mass index (BMI). The research, led by experts from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the United States, underscores the need for more comprehensive methods to assess heart disease risk.

The study found that for every one percent increase in muscle fat, there was a two percent rise in the risk of coronary microvascular dysfunction—a condition where the small blood vessels of the heart malfunction. Moreover, muscle fat was linked to a seven percent increased risk of serious heart disease, regardless of other established risk factors like BMI.

Published in the European Heart Journal, the study challenges the reliance on BMI and waist circumference as sole indicators of heart health. The findings suggest that these traditional measures may not fully capture the risks associated with fat buildup in muscle tissues.

This research highlights the importance of considering muscle fat as a critical factor in heart disease risk, especially as heart-related conditions continue to rise globally. Health experts are calling for more accurate and comprehensive ways to evaluate cardiovascular health, beyond just weight and waist size.