You are more likely to acquire illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes that may lead to heart disease if you are overweight. Obese persons with specific metabolic risk factors have a 2.5-fold increased risk of heart disease compared to healthy, normal-weight individuals. Overweight adults with no additional risk factors for heart disease have a 28% higher risk of heart disease than healthy people with normal body mass index.
As BMI increases, the risk of coronary heart disease also increases, not just for obese women (BMI of 30 or more) but also for those who are more lightly overweight (BMI between 25 and 30).
In addition to helping you lose weight, a healthy diet and regular exercise may also lessen your risk of heart disease.
This article is about the link between obesity and heart disease. You will learn about its symptoms and how to prevent yourself from obesity.
Introduction
What is Obesity?
A person who has an abnormal amount of body fat to the point that it is causing them health issues then they are called obese.
What are Heart Diseases?
Conditions affecting the heart and blood arteries together constitute heart diseases. Some of these disorders may be fatal, and they are dangerous. Overall, most of these disorders create issues because they limit the body’s ability to obtain enough blood to perform its functions. Common causes of these conditions are a heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat.
Symptoms
Symptoms might vary depending on the kind of heart disease you have and whether or not you are male or female. When a heart attack occurs, males are more likely to report chest discomfort, while women are more likely to report nausea, shortness of breath, and weariness as symptoms.
The following are signs and symptoms of heart disease:
- Stress and pain in the upper abdominal region, neck or jaw area.
- Asthma (pain, tightness, pressure, or discomfort in the chest)
- Overwhelming anxiety over running out of air
- Dizziness
Obesity-Induced Heart Problems
Obesity can cause various heart problems like:
Coronary Artery Disease
An accumulation of cholesterol plaque in the arteries of the heart is one of the causes of coronary artery disease (CAD) in obese people. Obesity is associated with several additional risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD), including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome. People with “central” or “visceral” obesity, which is in the belly, have a greater risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD).
Heart Failure:
Even those who do not have coronary artery disease may get heart failure (CAD). In the absence of coronary artery disease (CAD), obesity may cause heart failure, although there are two major theories.
First, obesity causes the heart to work harder which may eventually result in heart failure. Thereby, the muscle size increases, a condition known as ventricular hypertrophy.
Another risk factor for heart failure is the association between obesity and the sleep apnea breathing problem.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest:
Individuals who are obese have an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, even those who do not have coronary artery disease (CAD) or other forms of heart disease.
Atrial Fibrillation:
Obesity is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation a kind of irregular heart rhythm. In many cases, atrial fibrillation is a common side effect of heart failure. Obesity, cardiac failure, and atrial fibrillation occur via the same pathways.
Complications
Obese individuals are more prone to acquire a variety of potentially major health conditions, including the following:
Cardiovascular disease and strokes
Obesity increases your chance of developing hypertension and abnormal cholesterol levels, both of which are risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
Type 2 diabetes.
Obesity may impair the body’s ability to utilise insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. This increases the likelihood of developing insulin resistance and diabetes.
Specific cancers.
Obesity may raise the risk of uterine, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, breast, colon, rectum, oesophagal, liver, gallbladder, pancreatic, kidney, and prostate cancer.
Digestive issues.
Obesity significantly raises the risk of having heartburn, gallbladder disease, and liver disease.
Sleep apnea.
Obesity increases the risk of sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous condition in which breathing regularly stops and resumes during sleep.
Osteoarthritis.
Obesity adds stress on weight-bearing joints while also causing inflammation in the body. These variables may contribute to the development of problems such as osteoarthritis.
Is It Possible to Prevent Heart Failure?
Yes, you can lower your risk of heart failure. And the sooner you begin, the better will be the results. You can start by following these simple precautions:
Maintain an active lifestyle.
Consult with your doctor before beginning an exercise plan. You should do at least 2 1/2 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, the type that gets your heart pumping. Additionally, try not to spend more than two hours every day sitting. This may increase your chance of developing heart failure.
Avoid illicit drug usage.
Even with infrequent use of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and ecstasy, your heart may be harmed. It may increase your heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, it may result in arterial stiffening. All of these issues increase your chance of developing heart failure.
Treat cardiovascular and other diseases.
Other cardiovascular issues, such as heart attacks, increase your risk of developing heart failure. Therefore, manage your hypertension and take any online heart medication prescribed by your doctor.
Avoid smoking.
Quit smoking if you have a tobacco addiction. Consult with your doctor for assistance in quitting. Smoking causes artery damage, which may pave the way for heart failure.
Consume nutritious meals.
An appropriate diet is essential if you wish to avoid heart failure.Consume less saturated and trans fats, processed sugars, and salt. Instead of that, go for fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. Additionally, pick “healthy fats” such as olive oil, walnuts, avocados, and seafood such as salmon or tuna.
Consume alcohol in moderation.
While a little amount of alcohol may be beneficial to your heart, excessive amounts are not. Avoid drinking if you already have heart failure, drinking might exacerbate it.
Lose weight if necessary.
Aim for right BMI and pay special attention to belly fat, which can raise your risk of heart disease even more than other types of fat. Even a minor weight reduction may result in significant improvements in your health.
Control your tension.
It may cause an increase in blood pressure. Maintain a steady mood via meditation, therapy, or yoga.
Proper sleep.
A severe sleep disorder such as sleep apnea might increase your risk of heart failure. If you have it, get treatment immediately. Additionally, take efforts to improve sleep quality, such as going to bed and waking up at the same time each night and avoiding gadgets in the bedroom.
Conclusion
The best part is that addressing the issue and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease is manageable. Most people may benefit after modifying their food and lifestyle to ensure that they can maintain a healthy weight. Adopt a nutritious diet and increase your physical activity to lose weight. The most effective course of action is to make an appointment with a doctor who can examine your condition and discuss your treatment choices.