The Claim
Epicardial fat thickness of at least 5.45 mm, as measured by echocardiography, is associated with a 7.38-fold higher odds of having severe coronary artery disease (syntax score >22) in patients who survived ST-elevation myocardial infarction, after adjusting for body mass index.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In patients who survived a specific type of heart attack, those with epicardial fat thickness of 5.45 mm or greater have 7.38 times higher odds of having severe coronary artery disease, as measured by syntax score, compared to those with less fat, regardless of their body mass index.
See the scientific wording
Epicardial fat thickness ≥5.45 mm, measured by echocardiography, is associated with a 7.38-fold higher odds of having severe coronary artery disease (syntax score >22) in patients who survived ST-elevation myocardial infarction, independent of body mass index.
Fat around the heart releases chemicals that inflame the nearby heart arteries, damage their inner lining, and make dangerous plaques more likely to rupture and block blood flow, leading to severe artery disease.
What the research says
1 studyIn people who survived a heart attack, a thicker layer of fat around the heart (more than 5.45 mm) was strongly linked to much worse artery blockages — even when accounting for how overweight they were. The study found this fat layer was over 7 times more common in those with severe blockages.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.