Recent clinical research has shown that the shape of our bottoms may put us at risk for a heart attack. Every person has some stored body fat. Some more than others. Most of us tend to store it in two configurations: The Apple Belly or the Pear Bottom. When it comes to health, it makes a difference where that fat is stored--whether we are top (apple Belly) or bottom heavy (pear bottom). According to a recent survey published in Time magazine on March 15, 2004, 64% of American women are categorized as "pear-shaped", which leaves as many as 36% of American women in the "apple-shaped" configuration, and at increased risk for cardiovascular disease!

Although all fat cells are filled with the same kind of fat, the fat cells in the abdomen are smaller and more active than fat cells located behind the arms, in the hips and thighs and under the skin. The more active abdominal fat responds quickly to stress and releases fat into the blood for "fight or flight." When you don't accept that natural disposition for fight-or-flight, that abdominal fat dumped into the blood stream flows immediately to the liver where it is converted into the more dangerous artery-clogging LDL cholesterol. Combine this with the increase in blood pressure that often accompanies stress, the release of cortisol that stores fat and, if you aren't exercising to reduce stress, you've a cycle that can clog your arteries and cause a heart attack or stroke.

Researchers have spent years attempting to correlate this relationship between this abdominal fat, heart disease and stroke. They've come up with a mathematical calculation that can predict your risk. Follow the directions below to learn YOUR risk.