Greater amounts of visceral adipose and lean body mass increase heart failure risk in older women

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The study investigates the relationship between body composition and heart failure risk in postmenopausal women aged 65 and older.
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Visceral adipose tissue is hypothesized to increase heart failure risk, while lean mass may have a protective effect in older women.
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The Women's Health Initiative enrolled 161,808 postmenopausal women to study major diseases affecting this demographic.
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Body composition was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, focusing on total fat, lean mass, and abdominal fat.
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Heart failure was identified through self-reported hospitalizations and physician adjudication, ensuring accurate diagnosis.

Clinical Research In Cardiology

by Michael J. LaMonte, Charles B. Eaton, Bernhard Haring, Jennifer W. Bea, Connor R. Miller, JoAnn E. Manson, Deepika Laddu, Marcia L. Stefanick, Andrew Odegaard
May 26, 2026

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