Shorter height is related to lower cardiovascular disease risk – A narrative review

• Main Author: Thomas T. Samaras
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2013-01-01
• Series: Indian Heart Journal
• Subjects: Cardiovascular mortality; Height; Heart pumping efficiency; Nutrition; Telomeres
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019483212003173

Numerous Western studies have shown a negative correlation between height and cardiovascular disease. However, these correlations do not prove causation. This review provides a variety of studies showing short people have little to no cardiovascular disease. When shorter people are compared to taller people, a number of biological mechanisms evolve favoring shorter people, including reduced telomere shortening, lower atrial fibrillation, higher heart pumping efficiency, lower DNA damage, lower risk of blood clots, lower left ventricular hypertrophy and superior blood parameters. The causes of increased heart disease among shorter people in the developed world are related to lower income, excessive weight, poor diet, lifestyle factors, catch-up growth, childhood illness and poor environmental conditions. For short people in developed countries, the data indicate that a plant-based diet, leanness and regular exercise can substantially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.