In heart disease patients, larger waist sizes are linked to higher risk of dying from heart-related causes, with the biggest risk in those with the largest waist measurements.

Scientific Claim

Waist circumference shows a non-linear association with cardiovascular mortality risk in patients with coronary artery disease, with the highest risk observed in the highest category.

Original Statement

“Results for cardiovascular mortality were mostly in line with the results for all-cause mortality.”

From study:Association of body mass index and waist circumference with long-term mortality risk in 10,370 coronary patients and potential modification by lifestyle and health determinants

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The study is observational, so causal language is inappropriate; 'associated with' correctly reflects the correlational nature of the findings.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Association of body mass index and waist circumference with long-term mortality risk in 10,370 coronary patients and potential modification by lifestyle and health determinants

Cohort Study

Human

2024

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Association of body mass index and waist circumference with long-term mortality risk in 10,370 coronary patients and potential modification by lifestyle and health determinants

Score: 59

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303329

Similar Assertions

People with heart disease who have the largest waist sizes have a 19% higher chance of dying from any cause compared to those with medium waist sizes.

91%

Older adults who lose more than 5% of their waist size are more likely to die within the study period compared to those whose waist size stays stable.

79%

Men with a waist size of 94 cm or larger have a 42% higher chance of having heart disease without symptoms compared to men with smaller waists, according to the study. This finding is from the abstract summary - full study details were not available

76%

Increased waist circumference is associated with a higher risk of metabolic disease and mortality, independent of total body weight.

76%

For older adults, both very small and very large changes in waist size are linked to higher death rates, forming a U-shaped pattern.

74%