Everyone loses height, normally from the age of 40, and by 70 it is not uncommon to have lost between 2.5 to 7.5cm. However, some people do suffer more dramatic losses of height and new research claims that may indicate a shorter life.
Previously, scientists have found shorter people may have an increased risk of heart disease, with researchers saying it appeared to be linked by lifestyle as well as genetics.
Now researchers from the Institute of Medicine at the University of Gothenburg in Gothenburg, Sweden, say height loss in middle age, at least among women from Denmark and Sweden, seems to be linked to a greater risk of death, including from cardiovascular disease.
“Height loss is probably not a risk factor per se but is rather a marker for other true causes,” said co-author Dr Sofia Klingberg, whose research was published in the BMJ.
Dr Klingberg and her colleagues analysed data from 2,406 Danish and Swedish women born between 1908 and 1952 who were part of long-term studies in the two countries.
Height measurements were taken at the start of the studies, when the average age of the Swedish and Danish women was 47 and 44 respectively, and about 10 to 13 years later. After that point, deaths among participants were tracked for a further 17 to 19 years.
In total, 625 participants died during the follow-up period, with 157 of the deaths due to cardiovascular disease and 37 because of a stroke. The women lost an average of 0.8cm in height over 11.4 years.
“People lose height as they get older because of changes in the spine, for example because of reduced height of the discs between the vertebra in the spine,” said Dr Klingberg, adding compression fractures in the spine and changes in posture can result in further height loss.
The researchers found that for every centimetre of height the women lost between the two measurements was associated with a 15% greater risk of death from any cause, while those who lost more than 2cm in height between measurements had a 74% increased risk of death from any cause and at any point in the future.
Similar trends were discovered when the researchers looked at deaths due to heart disease, finding a 21% increased risk of death for every centimetre lost, and more than twice the risk of death for those who lost more than 2cm in height.
The increased risk of death from stroke associated with height loss was even greater, however the team caution that – as only a small number of participants died from stroke – the figures should be treated with caution.
However, Dr Klingberg said it was also discovered that women who engaged in regular and high-intensity physical activity in their leisure time showed less height loss than those who did four hours or more low-impact exercise a week.
“High physical activity is probably linked to reduced height loss, both through reduced reduction of the age-related bone loss and through increased muscle strength and a more upright posture,” said Dr Klingberg.
The message: you can reduce your risk – just be prepared to sweat.
