5 Ways Weight Loss Supports Improved Cardiovascular Health (pegged to American Heart Month)

Weight loss is about more than just looking and feeling better—though that is a part of it! ; losing weight is also one of the best things you can do for your heart health. Carrying extra weight makes your cardiovascular system work harder and makes you more likely to get heart disease. The good news is that losing even just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can have a significant impact on your heart. To commemorate American Heart Month, Dr. A. Mikhail Botvinov, our board-certified general surgeon at Bergen Bariatric and Surgical Solutions, explains how weight loss supports heart health and how the team can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Losing weight can help:

1. Lower blood pressure

There are several ways that excess weight can cause high blood pressure: Inflammatory substances released by fat tissue cause blood vessels to stiffen and narrow, increasing blood flow resistance. The total volume of blood that circulates throughout the body is increased by excess body fat, which puts more pressure on the walls of your arteries. Your kidneys’ ability to regulate sodium can be affected by obesity, which can result in fluid retention and elevated blood pressure. There is good news here, despite the obvious connection between being overweight and developing hypertension. The vascular system is less stressed when you lose weight, which helps lower your blood pressure and protects your heart from damage. And the even better part? You don’t have to reach your goal weight to start seeing results. According to the American Heart Association, even a ten-pound weight loss can be beneficial. Even though you might need to lose more, knowing that even just 10 pounds can help is reassuring.

2. Reduce your blood cholesterol levels

Weight loss doesn’t just improve your blood pressure levels. It can also assist with cholesterol management. By increasing your “good” HDL cholesterol and decreasing your “bad” LDL cholesterol, weight loss frequently improves cholesterol balance. Because LDL cholesterol can contribute to blocked arteries (and increased risk of heart attack), losing weight and managing your cholesterol can help mitigate these risks.

1Note that being overweight is just one risk factor for high cholesterol. Regardless of your weight, you should be aware of your cholesterol levels to protect your heart.

3. Eliminate inflammation Carrying extra fat

Particularly around your abdomen, can cause chronic inflammation. Your heart and blood vessels can be severely damaged by inflammation. Shedding weight helps lower inflammation levels, which are observed by tracking inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), TNF-alpha, IL-6, and leptin.

4. Reduce your diabetes risk Obesity and Type 2 diabetes are closely linked

In fact, overweight and obese individuals are six times more likely to develop diabetes, and unfortunately, high blood sugar can damage your blood vessels and heart. Heart disease is twice as likely to occur in people with diabetes. You can lower your risk of developing diabetes and related cardiovascular complications by losing weight.

5. Reduce the stress on your heart

With less body mass to support, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to circulate blood. Over time, your cardiovascular system will see less wear and tear as a result of this increased efficiency. How to get started on losing weight It is not always simple to lose weight, especially if you are unsure of where to begin. Our team is here to assist you, whether you are just beginning your journey or require additional assistance. Dr. Based on your body mass index (BMI), health history, and overall weight loss and wellness objectives, Botvinov can develop a plan for you.