How Obesity Affects Heart Health

Obesity is a disease that has been causing many problems for people globally. A popular way of diagnosing obesity is by body mass index (BMI), and individuals with a BMI higher than 30 are considered obese.

However, BMI is not the only measure as obesity also depends on body composition so another criteria, Waist Circumference, is also considered to properly diagnose obesity. Obese people are at a higher risk of numerous diseases, including cardiovascular diseases.

Furthermore, the risk of heart damage and heart failure is higher in obese people.  

4 ways obesity is detrimental to your heart health

Obesity is a major contributing factor to many diseases. Here are a few ways obesity can damage your heart and health.

1. Obesity increases the risk of high cholesterol!

Cholesterol is essential for the immune health of your body. The problem occurs when the bad cholesterol in your body gets higher than the good cholesterol in your body. Obesity also changes the way your body handles cholesterol. It changes how your body creates and processes lipoproteins such as cholesterol and triglycerides. Too many triglycerides lead to a higher amount of cholesterol, which puts you at risk of heart disease.

2. Obesity puts a strain on your heart!

The excess fat in your body can stress your heart as the heart has to pump harder to keep the blood flowing in your body. It increases your blood pressure, which itself is problematic. With time, your heart muscle gets thicker due to an increase in pressure. It increases the risk of atrial fibrillation and increases the risk of heart failure.

3. Obesity can lead to sleep apnea!

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes issues with breathing leading to little or no sleep. Apart from causing respiratory problems, sleep apnea raises the risk of blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes.

4. Obesity can result in heart failure!

As obesity puts a strain on the heart, leads to hypertension, sleep apnea, and much more, all of these are risk factors for heart failure. Obese people are also likely to suffer from coronary heart disease, which can restrict the flow of blood to the heart and may lead to problems like angina (chest pain), or even a heart attack if the blood supply to the heart becomes completely obstructed. 

How can you help your heart?

Obesity is more than just a cosmetic issue. It can negatively impact your whole body. Considering the health risks associated with obesity, losing weight is the only option to save yourself from diseases that obesity may cause. Losing just 5-10% of weight can help reduce cholesterol and make you healthy.

Losing weight isn’t easy, so slow weight loss is the way to go. Here are a few ways that can help you shed off the extra weight:

Switch to healthier alternatives

Following a strict diet can be a challenge however, an easier way is to start switching unhealthy and high-calorie food with low-fat alternatives, for example, bran bread instead of white bread. Fixing your diet is the first step to getting healthy.

Exercise regularly

Be more active by adding exercise to your everyday routine. Exercise, or walk for at least 30 mins a day. Start with physical activity of short duration and build up your stamina. Increase your physical activity with time. Some conditions such as PCOS may make it very difficult to lose weight.

Your body’s own mechanism also fights against any weight loss, causing many people to regain weight and avoid sustained weight loss. In such cases of chronic obesity, consult an Obesity Management Specialist through oladoc.com for long-term management and treatment.