Weight can have a significant impact on heart health, as excess weight, particularly abdominal fat, is associated with various risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Here's how weight affects your heart:
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Excess weight, especially visceral fat around the abdomen, is strongly linked to high blood pressure. When you carry excess weight, your heart has to work harder to pump blood through your body, which can lead to increased pressure on the walls of your arteries.
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High Cholesterol Levels: Being overweight or obese can contribute to high levels of LDL cholesterol (often referred to as "bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides, while also lowering levels of HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol).
This imbalance in cholesterol levels can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, narrowing them and restricting blood flow. Plaque buildup increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Type 2 Diabetes: Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, a condition in which your body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels effectively.
Metabolic Syndrome: Excess weight, particularly abdominal obesity, is a key component of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol levels, and insulin resistance.
Inflammation: Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation in the body, characterized by increased levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP)
Heart Failure: Obesity is a major risk factor for heart failure, a condition in which the heart becomes unable to pump blood effectively to meet the body's needs. Excess weight puts added strain on the heart, leading to changes in its structure and function over time.