Body Weight A Major Threat of Cardiovascular Disease

Body Weight  Excess weight increases risk for cardiovascular disease.  Risk of heart failure increases  5% Men  7% Women  Triple the risk with BMI over 29

Body Mass Index (BMI)  A measure of body fat relative to height and weight. BMI UnderweightBelow 18.5 Normal Overweight Obesity 30.0 and Above

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Extra weight can also be a sign that you're hurting your heart in other ways. Many people are overweight because they eat high-fat diets and shun exercise. Other people who gained weight with pregnancy and age have found it difficult to get back on an exercise regimen. No matter how much you weigh, fat-filled foods and lack of exercise can damage your arteries and weaken your heart.

 Excess body fat can set off a cascade of other changes in the body that raise the risk of heart trouble. If the fat is distributed in the midsection, the risk is higher; a waist measurement of more than 35 inches in women and 40 inches in men spells an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

 An extra-large body needs an extra-large amount of blood. When you gain weight, your heart has to pump more blood than it did before. Instead of beating more often, the heart grows slightly larger so it can move more blood with each beat. It's like a faucet that's been opened up a notch. The increased flow often leads to high blood pressure, which is a major cause of heart disease.

 Even if your blood pressure doesn't climb, your heart can suffer from the extra workload. When the chambers of the heart grow larger, they slowly lose some of their squeezing power. Eventually, they may not be able to completely empty themselves with each beat. As blood starts pooling in your heart, you can develop congestive heart failure.

 In another recent survey, the National Consumers League (NCL) found only 12 percent of US adults had been told by a doctor or other healthcare professional that they were obese.  That's the reason why government health officials at the US Preventive Services Task Force recommend that doctors assess patients to determine their BMI. If they're obese, they should make weight loss counseling part of their talks.

How body weight impacts heart disease?  Despite our national obsession with thinness, Americans are heavier and less active than ever before. Even a few extra pounds can be hard on your heart.  In addition, research by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute adds more evidence: in a study of over 5,000 participants, the risk of heart failure increased with each additional point of a participant's BMI. Men experienced a 5 percent risk increase with each additional point of BMI, while women had a 7 percent increase.

Body Weight Body Weight  Control your body weight. Experts recommend that every person keeps their body weight within ten pounds of your ideal weight, depending on your height and bone structure. Excess weight puts an added strain on your heart and other organs.  Generally a BMI above 25 is considered over- weight.

Prevention: Healthy Diet and Exercise  Maintain an ideal body weight by eating a healthy diet. -Limit sugars and carbohydrates. -Avoid trans and saturated fat. -Well balanced diet.  Exercise an hour a day 7 days a week. -Cardio

Recent Studies  Recent research states that being overweight does not always mean that you are in poor cardiovascular shape.  A study in the Journal of American Medical Association found that people who are overweight but active can have better cardiovascular fitness than those who are thin and inactive.

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Cardio Exercise  Running  Cross Country Skiing  Elliptical Trainer  Swimming  Step Aerobics  Rowing  Rock Climbing  Walking  Hand Ball