You may know that a larger waist circumference is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, but have you ever considered the implications of your neck circumference? Unless you’ve shopped for dress shirts that measure neck size, it’s likely not on your radar. However, an enlarged neck circumference can lead to several negative and frustrating outcomes, such as snoring and sleep apnea.
A thicker neck—defined as over 17 inches for men and 15.5 inches for women—often corresponds to a narrower airway, particularly when lying down. This is typically due to an accumulation of fatty tissue at the base of the tongue and around the airway. With a partially blocked airway, it becomes more difficult for air to flow from the throat to the lungs, resulting in snoring or wheezing sounds.
If the airway becomes completely obstructed, you may experience obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious condition that causes frequent interruptions in breathing during sleep. Untreated OSA can lead to dangerous daytime drowsiness and is linked to severe health issues, including cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and depression.
Recent studies have also indicated a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with larger neck circumferences, and some researchers suggest that neck measurements could serve as an effective screening tool, potentially replacing waist circumference measurements. Generally, a larger neck indicates excess weight in other areas, so losing weight can often help reduce neck size.