Heavy on the heart

What is the connection between excess weight and heart disease?

January 24, 2024
A model of a healthy heart

Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Losing 5% of your body weight can improve heart disease risk factors, namely blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and obstructive sleep apnea.  

Developing a weight loss plan with your provider can help you reach your weight loss goals and improve risk factors for heart disease.

The plan should include smoking cessation, increasing physical activity and overall daily steps while eating a healthy diet. Choose to eat nutrient dense foods over ultra-processed foods. Choose monounsaturated fats or polyunsaturated fats while avoiding saturated and trans fats. Plan ahead and create daily menus.

Heart healthy lifestyle behaviors that are important for promoting cardiovascular health are the same lifestyle behaviors important for maintaining a healthy weight.

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