Having a lot of fat around your heart leaves you susceptible to cardiovascular diseases even if you are not overweight, a group of local doctors said.

According to research by Prof. Chun Eun-joo and Choi Sang-il of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital on 402 people, those with a lot of fat around their heart were 10 times more likely to get coronary artery stenosis, a narrowing of the carotid artery, than those with “clean” hearts. The chances of getting atherosclerosis, fat around the arteries, and coronary artery calcium were higher by three and six-fold, respectively, the doctors added.

“If one has hypertension, diabetes or hyperlipidemia, he or she is more likely to have lots of fat around the heart. Those with the diseases should visit their doctors regularly for monitoring and controlling the condition,” Chun said.

The findings were published in the May edition of “Obesity” journal.

(baejisook@heraldcorp.com)