Obesity and heart disease were once thought by many medical professionals to be only indirectly related. The major risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and arteriosclerosis, were attributed to the degree of obesity of the person who had the problem. Yes, while obesity does contribute to these conditions, current studies are showing that there is direct link between being over-weight and heart disease. Even if you are just a little over-weight you should consider a weight loss program for the protection of your heart health.

Obesity – A Direct Link to Heart Disease
Studies that have recently been conducted are now showing that obesity and heart disease are directly related. While being even slightly over-weight will affect various risk factors for heart disease, it is also a predictive indicator of heart disease. A 14 year study showed that a woman who had a Body Mass Index of at least 23 but less than 25 actually had a 50% increase in their risk of non fatal and fatal coronary heart disease. The study showed that there is a direct connection between obesity and heart disease.

Obesity and heart disease appear to be directly connected in severely obese people because of abnormalities often found in the left ventricle mass and function of the heart. Though in many cases those abnormalities of the heart were seen when a person had both high blood pressure and obesity, there are recorded incidences of the abnormalities being seen in people who did not have high blood pressure. In those cases, it appears that severe obesity was the only condition that affected the condition of the heart. This information shows that obesity and heart disease are connected and can definitely progress to congestive heart failure.

Obesity and Heart Disease Treatments
Since the connection between being over-weight and heart disease is now well known, health care providers have developed ways to fight these related problems. Weight loss and weight control are the prime weapons in the battle to regain heart health.

Some patients with congestive heart failure who have restricted their sodium intake and reduced their weight, even a little, saw a dramatic improvement in heart function and reduction of the risk of heart disease. In addition several studies have shown that a drastic weight loss as would occur after having gastro intestinal surgery, can greatly decrease the risk of diabetes and heart disease. The message is, “Lose weight and gain a better, longer life.”

There are many ways obesity and heart disease can be treated. Diet change, regular exercise, medication and even surgery can be considered. Check with your doctor and work with him to determine which option will meet your needs and be best for you. It is definitely apparent that obesity and heart disease are connected and you need one or more of those options to fight for your life.

heart health, Lose weight, News, Obesity and heart disease, over weight and heart disease, Weight loss and weight control, weight loss program

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This entry was posted on Thursday, December 27th, 2007 at 5:06 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.