Weight Debate

Coronary heart disease means that the heart and circulation (blood flow) are not functioning normally. Often, the arteries have become hardened and narrowed. If you have coronary heart disease, you may suffer from:

• A heart attack
• Congestive heart failure
• Sudden cardiac death
• Angina (chest pain)
• Abnormal heart rhythm

In a heart attack, the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart is disrupted, damaging portions of the heart muscle.

During a stroke, blood and oxygen do not flow normally to the brain, possibly causing paralysis or death.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and stroke is the third leading cause.

Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke Linked to Being Overweight

People who are overweight are more likely to develop:

• High blood pressure
• High levels of triglycerides (blood fats) and LDL cholesterol (a fat-like substance often called bad cholesterol)
• Low levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).

These are all risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Excess body fat - especially abdominal fat - may produce substances that cause inflammation. Inflammation in blood vessels and throughout the body may raise heart disease risk.

Weight Loss

Losing 5 to 10 percent of your weight can lower your chances for developing coronary heart disease or having a stroke. If you weigh 200 pounds, this means losing as little as 10 pounds.

Weight Loss May Improve:

• Blood pressure levels
• Triglyceride levels
• Cholesterol levels
• Improve heart function and blood flow
• Decrease inflammation throughout the body