Tall people are most at risk of more than 100 health problems, according to the largest study of its kind.
Researchers examined more than 1,000 conditions among 250,000 white, Hispanic, and black men and women in the United States.
They found that being taller was associated with an increased risk of irregular heartbeat, varicose veins, nerve damage, and foot ulcers.
Tall people, defined as those 5 feet 9 or more, were also more prone to skin and bone infections.
And they were at high risk for blood clots in the nails, nerve damage, and fungal infections.
Scientists at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center have not studied why taller people have more health problems.
But one theory is that blood needs to be pumped farther, which can result in decreased flow needed to keep the body healthy.
Carrying more body mass can put more pressure on bones, muscles and feet, the researchers said.
However, taller people have been found to have a lower risk of a number of important comorbidities, including coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
In a study of 250,000 adults with an average height of 1.80 meters, US researchers found that height may be linked to health problems.
What were some of the 100 health problems associated with being tall?
- blood clots
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- bone infection
- irregular heartbeat
- callus
- damage to nerves
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Damage to brain cells
- inflammation
- leg ulcers
- skin ulcers
- deformity of the fingers
- varicose veins
- pain in the leg
- Fungal infections on nails
While height has been associated with a variety of health problems before, scientists aren’t sure if this is due to their genes or the influence of other factors such as diet.
The authors of the new study now say height may be an unrecognized risk factor for many common ailments in adults, but more studies are needed to confirm their findings.
In the study, the researchers used a genetics and health database called the VA Million Veteran Program, which includes data from nearly 280,000 Americans.
In their research, 91% of respondents were male, due to the database of ex-members of the th4a military.
This means that the findings may not be relevant to other groups.
Publish their findings in PLOS Genetics Scientists confirm previous research that hypertension is linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) and varicose veins.
But scientists have also discovered new links between health problems and height.
These include peripheral neuropathy, a condition in which nerves in the extremities of the body, such as the hands, feet, and arms, are damaged.
One in 10 Brits suffers from this condition, which can cause numbness, tingling and even pain in the affected areas.
In general, taller people may suffer from limb problems due to greater physical distance from the body.
Other conditions the scientists found new links to height included an increased risk of bone infections and leg and foot ulcers.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Sridharan Raghavan told MailOnline that he has identified a total of 100-110 different health issues related to being tall.
“We conclude that height may be an unrecognized and invariable risk factor for some common disorders in adults,” he added.
The researchers did not measure the increase in risk on a case-by-case basis.
A person’s height is determined by a number of factors, including their genetics, that may predispose them to being tall or short.
But lifestyle also plays a role in making children who eat healthier and come from affluent backgrounds more likely to grow up.
The average British man comes in at about 5 feet 9 inches and the average woman at 5 feet 3 inches.
Source: Daily Mail

I am Anne Johnson and I work as an author at the Fashion Vibes. My main area of expertise is beauty related news, but I also have experience in covering other types of stories like entertainment, lifestyle, and health topics. With my years of experience in writing for various publications, I have built strong relationships with many industry insiders. My passion for journalism has enabled me to stay on top of the latest trends and changes in the world of beauty.