Understanding the Link Between Obesity and Heart Disease

It has been pointed out that Obesity has become a pandemic and has affected millions of people worldwide. It is not just an extra baguette in a person’s belly; obesity is a disease that risks one’s health and well-being. However, of the many health problems linked to obesity, coronary heart disease is perhaps one of the more dangerous ones. This makes understanding this relation, the one between obesity and heart disease, very key in both.

In this blog, we will look into the causes of heart diseases related to obesity, the effects of obesity on cardiovascular diseases, and who provides such cardiology services.

What Is Obesity?

Obesity means having more than the normal amount of fat in the body. It is commonly done by the use of Body Mass Index (BMI) which is a scale of weight against the height of a person. An individual with score 30 and above can be classified as obese. But more importantly, BMI is not the only indicator of being obese, waist measurement and hip to waist ratio is taken into consideration as well.

Incidence of obesity is due to an interaction of multiple factors in genesis which includes genetic, environmental, and behavioral. The most common cause is modern sedentary living, unhealthy dietary habits, and inadequate exercises. Also, people who are clinically depressed and some drugs can also cause obesity.

The Link Between Obesity and Heart Disease

The overweight population is particularly vulnerable to heart disease which encompasses several cardiovascular diseases including coronary arterial disease, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. There are various explanations for the association between obesity and heart disease.

1. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Obesity is known to increase high blood pressure also known as hypertension. It is known that excess fat, particularly in the abdominal areas, increases the blood volume in the body. This consequently exerts more tension in the arterial walls, thereby causing the blood pressure to be high. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is an important risk factor for heart diseases since, due to neck stalk thickening, the heart is subjected to more pressure than usual, causing it to be weak.

2. Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol and triglyceride levels are usually not normal in the diagnosis of obesity. Due to obesity, HDL cholesterol, the good Cholesterol, is depressed and LDL cholesterol, the bad Cholesterol, is elevated. There are also high occurrences of LDL cholesterol which is most likely to lead to arterial plaques development, a type of arterial disease called Atherosclerosis. These plaques harden which affects blood flow towards the heart and results in an increased risk for stroke and heart attack.

3. Inflammation

Chronic low-grade inflammation is one of the disturbances observed with obesity which is harmful to the cardiovascular system. Particularly, adipose tissues are known to produce some cytokines, which are factors promoting inflammation, causing the aetiology of atherosclerosis. Inflammation injures the arteries resulting in their vulnerability to plaques and increasing the risk of heart disease

4. Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes

Obesity is the major contributor to development of insulin resistance, a syndrome in which the effectiveness of insulin on the body’s cells is reduced. Insulin is the hormone that manages the amount of sugar circulating in the blood stream. In the event of the development of insulin resistance, it becomes almost impossible to maintain normal blood glucose levels without normalise levels of insulin. Slowly this can trigger the burning out of the remaining pancreatic cells and the onset of us type two diabetes, yet another weigh risk for heart disease.

5. Sleep Apnea

Obesity also increases the chances of suffering from sleep apnea a disorder where breathing stoppages recur while sleeping. The absence of this normal pattern can lead to hypertension, abnormal heart rhythms and other coronary conditions. The situation of sleep disorder and lack of oxygen during sleep may exert extra pressure on the heart hence elevating the occurrence of heart diseases.

The Importance of Cardiology Services

Since there is a pathogenetic connection between obesity and heart disease, it is necessary to focus on cardiology in people with obesity and with the risk factors of heart disease caused or aggravated by obesity. Cardiology services are very important in addressing heart disease in obese patients for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

1. Early Detection

Cardiology tests in Mumbai and other regions are important and timely for detecting heart disease. Such tests can be CT imaging, coronary angiogram, tests for blood sugar and cholesterol, etc. Delay in diagnosis can be detrimental and efforts should aim at detecting the disease at its earliest stage.

2. Personalized Treatment Plans

Cardiology care involves developing personalized treatment plans based on the individual’s risk factors and overall health. For obese patients, this may include lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, as well as medical interventions to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. In some cases, medications or surgical procedures may be necessary to address specific cardiovascular issues.

3. Lifestyle Counseling

As part of their treatment plan, core elements of which may include cardiac rehabilitation, patients with/at risk for NCCVR can be referred to dietitians, nutritionists, and physiotherapists. It is advisable to restrict dairy, spicy and fried foods, sweets, and non-diet soft drinks, which will help them incorporate healthy practices easily.

4. Ongoing Monitoring

Also, follow up appointments with their cardiologist are of great significance because they help determine the success rates of the treatment and readjust the treatment as necessary. Constant checkups enable health providers to guarantee that the patient’s heart health is kept in check, thereby preventing adverse outcomes.

5. Support and Education

Cardiology services also provide support and education to patients and their families. Understanding the link between obesity and heart disease empowers patients to take control of their health and make informed decisions about their care.

Conclusion

The link between obesity and heart disease is undeniable. Excess body fat not only strains the heart but also contributes to a range of risk factors, including high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, inflammation, insulin resistance, and sleep apnea. Understanding this connection is crucial for preventing and managing heart disease, particularly in individuals who are obese.

Manubhai Shah Medical & Research Centre is a well-known medical research institute with the best cardiologist in Mumbai. Their experienced team of cardiologists is dedicated to providing comprehensive cardiology services, including early detection, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing monitoring. If you are concerned about your heart health, especially if you are struggling with obesity, consider scheduling a consultation with their expert cardiology team.