When it comes to staying hale and hearty, much of the attention is focused on the heart – and rightly so. Heart disease remains one of the primary causes of death worldwide, making heart health of paramount importance. Dr Dennis Doan will discuss why striving to keep your weight in the healthy range is a critical factor for heart health.
The Weight-Heart Health Connection
Extra weight does more than just burden your bones and muscles. It also puts an unhealthy pressure on your heart. Surplus body fat, particularly around the abdomen, poses significant risks for heart health. It leads to increased levels of LDL, lower HDL, increased blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. These will primarily expose you to heart disease and stroke.
For that, the recipe for a healthy heart incorporates various elements like a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management. And scaling in this recipe is the often under-looked, yet pivotal aspect – maintaining a healthy weight Dr Dennis Doan.
The Heart Benefits of a Healthy Weight
• Decreased LDL Levels – A healthy weight typically aligns with lower LDL cholesterol levels. LDL is known to build up in the arteries, leading to blockages, an issue directly linked to heart disease.
• Balanced Blood Pressure – Extra weight can cause your blood pressure to rise, making your heart work harder to pump blood around your body. Shifting to a healthy weight can keep your blood pressure in check and prevent undue straining of the heart.
• Blood Sugar Control – Overweightness is closely associated with elevated blood sugar levels, leading to insulin resistance and eventually to diabetes, a high-risk factor for heart disease. Keeping a healthy weight helps control your blood sugar levels and reduce this risk.
• Improved Physical Fitness – Finally, physical activities, important for heart health, become easier with less weight to carry. This boost in your workout routine and stamina doubles the reward for heart health Dr Dennis Doan.
