Being tall may come with hidden health risks, according to new genetic research linking height to serious cardiovascular and reproductive conditions.

A large-scale analysis involving more than 120,000 East Asian individuals has found that greater height is associated with a higher risk of “atrial fibrillation”- an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm and “Endometriosis”, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. The findings, published in PLOS Genetics, highlight how the biology of height extends far beyond appearance.

Researchers identified nearly 300 genetic variants linked to height and explored how these influence overall health. The study also found connections between height and traits such as lung function, body size, and reproductive patterns, including the age of menstruation onset.

While shorter individuals appeared less likely to develop endometriosis, experts stress that height itself is not a cause, but a marker shaped by complex genetic factors.

The findings may aid early risk prediction in future healthcare. However, researchers caution that further studies are needed before these insights can guide routine clinical decisions.