Overweight - Heart Disease Linkage

Multiple scientific studies have proven that if you carry excess weight, you're at higher risk for coronary heart disease. But physically, why are these two conditions linked? Experts tell us its mainly due to the extra strain on your heart.

Most overweight or obese individuals have elevated levels of triglycerides and LDL (the bad cholesterol) as well as high blood pressure. These conditions make your heart work harder to move blood throughout your body, often leading to heart disease.

For years, experts have said that obesity is related to coronary disease, but now they take a more firm stance saying that obesity independently predicts coronary disease, according to the North American Association for the Study of Obesity. This stance is supported by a 14-year study of individuals with a body mass index (BMI) near the level considered to be normal weight.

The study showed that middle-aged women with a body mass index (BMI) of 23.1 to 24.9 have a 50 percent higher risk of coronary heart disease and middle-aged men with a BMI of 25.1 to 28.9 have a 72 percent higher risk.

So what can you do to protect your heart? The American Heart Association says that losing weight is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of heart problems and other diseases. The National Institutes of Health reports that losing just 5 to 15 percent of your weight can significantly cut your risk for heart disease and stroke. It's also important to monitor your cholesterol levels and work to achieve healthy levels.

Looming Dangers

How many people do you know who made it to adulthood without carrying excess weight but then began tacking on a few pounds each year or so? The pattern almost seems normal for adults, but recent research shows that it's dangerous. In fact, we now know that gaining more than a few pounds after age 18 significantly increases your risk of developing chronic disease.

The long-term Nurses' Health Study showed that gaining just 11 to 22 pounds after the age of 18 increases the risk of hypertension 74 percent. The risk continues to grow with additional weight gain. In fact, the study showed that for each 2.2 pound increase in weight after age 18, your risk of developing hypertension increases 5 percent.

The same study also showed that weight gain during adulthood increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers said that adults who gain 11 to 17.6 pounds are nearly twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes, and those who gain 24 to 44 pounds are more than five times as likely to develop diabetes.

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