Tall women are more likely to have a stroke or heart failure. Measuring just 5 foot 5 inches nearly triples a woman's risk of developing the conditions over their 5 foot 2 inch counterparts. Taller women tend to have larger heart chambers, which determine the organ's rhythm and can lead to heart-related diseases. Weighing over 12 stone also raises a woman's risk. The scientists from the University of Gothenburg recommend tall women reduce their heart disease risk by keeping a healthy weight. The scientists analysed more than 1.5 million women for over 30 years. Lead study author Dr Annika Rosengren, professor of internal medicine, University of Gothenburg said: 'Generally it's better to be tall because you have less risk of heart attack and better survival. 'Taller people are often are better educated, have higher socioeconomic status, and may have received better nutrition at a young age and in the womb. 'But, in this case being tall is less desirable because it alters the structure of the heart in a way that may be conducive to atrial fibrillation.' Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes an irregular and abnormally fast heart beat. This comes after German scientists discovered that for every 6.5cm of height, your risk of cancer increases by 4 per cent. The activation of an insulin-like growth factor and two signalling pathways is likely linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly breast and colon. Source
