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In Canada, about 1 in 12 (or 2.6 million) adults* live with diagnosed heart disease. Every hour, about 14 of these Canadians die, making heart disease the second leading cause of death in the country. The good news is almost 80% of premature heart disease (and stroke) can be prevented through healthy lifestyle habits, and weight is an important factor in keeping the heart healthy.
Yes. In fact, obesity can double your chance of heart disease. How? Carrying excess weight can cause fatty deposits to accumulate in your arteries, which are the blood vessels that supply blood to your organs. This condition is called atherosclerosis. When the arteries supplying blood to the heart become damaged or blocked, it can result in a heart attack. If this occurs in the arteries leading to the brain, it may result in a stroke.
Atherosclerosis involves the gradual build-up of fatty tissue (plaque) inside your artery. Eventually, the plaque can rupture and trigger a blood clot.
Factors that increase a person’s risk of atherosclerosis, such
as elevated levels of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, can
also be linked with obesity.
Unfortunately, about 20% of people who have had a heart attack will be readmitted to the hospital for a second one within 5 years. Prevention is key. Fortunately, almost 80% of premature heart disease (and stroke) can be prevented through healthy lifestyle habits, including weight management.
Even losing 2 to 5% of body weight can be good for the heart. That’s because even a little weight loss can greatly improve heart and vascular health, boost heart function, lower blood pressure, and improve metabolism. What’s more, there are many other health benefits from 5 to 15% weight loss. Explore other articles to find out more.
For people living with obesity, researchers say that losing 10% body weight might do the trick to improve heart health. That might seem daunting, but even those who can’t lose that much weight can still benefit from smaller amounts of sustained weight loss. The most important thing to remember when starting a weight-loss journey is that you are not alone. 764 million adults live with obesity globally and by 2030, this number is projected to rise to over 1 billion.
While there is no “one-size-fits-all” treatment plan, the first step for anyone wanting to lose weight is to consult with a doctor. Your doctor may discuss several weight-management options.
* ≥ 20 years of age
