A person is classified as underweight if his or her Body Mass Index (BMI) value is less than 18.5. A lack of weight can be caused by malnutrition, infection or genetics.

Keep in mind that overweight and obesity are not the only conditions that can cause cardiovascular disease, which is in fact generally caused by an unhealthy lifestyle characterized by smoking, a lack of physical activity, or a high intake of fat or salt, which give rise to high blood pressure and fat deposition around the veins and heart.

Skinny people at risk

Many recent studies show that underweight people also suffer from cardiovascular diseases, and that they are at greater risk than those with a normal BMI value. A study from Bali shows that underweight people are 3.6 times more likely to experience coronary heart disease than those of normal weight. If the coronary artery is affected, underweight individuals are at greater risk of an early death than those who are either of normal weight or overweight.

Research from 2013 shows that women with coronary artery disease are twice as likely as their healthy counterparts to die early. It also shows that for overweight individuals who are not in the process of gaining weight, the risk of death related to the coronary artery drops by 64 percent. Meanwhile, underweight people who are still loosing weight are at an increased risk of death.

Causes of cardiovascular disease in underweight people

The following are the many causes that may lead to cardiovascular diseases in people who are underweight:

Congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease is indicated by a low heart function due to a disorder of the valve’s wall, or/and the heart’s arteries. Based on research, people with congenital heart disease and low body weight are 12 times more at risk of cardiovascular disease.

(Read also: Why a fat belly is more dangerous than being overweight)

Lack of physical activity

There’s a tendency of no physical activity with people who are underweight. Physical activity is one way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. A lack of physical activity, on the other hand, can cause fat deposition in the blood that can lead to cardiovascular diseases.

Low body fat with unhealthy eating habit

It is easy to have low body fat and having unhealthy eating habits. Underweight people tend to not worry about consuming fast food and failing to strike a balance. Even though it may not immediately show in their body, they may still have an elevated blood sugar level.

Abdominal fat

A condition known as central obesity is not uncommon in people with low body weight. Compared to evenly distributed fat, people who have fat around the abdomen are more at risk of cardiovascular disease than those with regular obesity.

Low level of hemoglobin serum

One of the conditions that cause heart disease is a lack of hemoglobin (Hb) serum. This condition is higher in people who are underweight. 2015 research in Ethiopia showed that the Hb level can significantly affects heart failure and that a normal level of Hb serum reduces the risk of heart failure by 23 percent.

Body weight is not the only cause of cardiovascular diseases. Overall body health, along with your diet and physical activity, are things you need to pay attention to in order to maintain a healthy heart and blood vessels, regardless of whether you are underweight, normal weight or overweight. (kes)