In discussing overweight and heart disease, let us look at some statistics. More than 64 percent of Americans are overweight, of which 27% are obese. An overweight person is one having a BMI of over 25, and in an obese person, a BMI of over 30. Overweight has long been identified by medical professionals as causes for serious health problems. In fact, the more overweight we are, the worse the effects are likely to be. Among the diseases associated with overweight are Type 2 diabetes , thyroid problems, asthma, high blood pressure and heart disease. This article will examine the issue of overweight and heart disease.
No discussion on overweight and heart disease can be complete without a brief mention of the most important organ in our body, the heart. This organ is not much larger than your fist. Heart disease collectively refers to the disease or condition that affects both the heart and the blood vessels. The heart, lungs, and some 100,000 miles of blood-filled vessels together make up the circulatory system by which oxygen and other vital elements are sent to nourish the live cells in all parts of the body. It is the heart that keeps all these going by acting as the central pumping system. The heart has 4 chambers with valves in them. It is located to the left side of our chest, just off the center. The heart is a very important organ to keep life going. Can you appreciate the workload the heart has to carry 24/7?
DISEASE
Common heart diseases are coronary artery disease, heart failure and arrhythmia (an abnormal rate of muscle contractions in the heart). Blockage or narrowing of coronary arteries is one of the major reasons of heart attack.
According to statistics, heart disease is one of the major causes of death in the developed and developing countries. In America it is the number one killer; most of the victims are women. Women, particularly those who are inactive and overweight are more likely to be affected by diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Overweight and heart disease are closely associated because overweight is the one of the major factors which causes heart disease.
There is yet another factor to consider in discussing overweight and heart disease. How the fat is deposited in your body also affects the heart. When you are overweight and have most of the fat accumulated in your abdominal area, it is considered more risky. The pear-shaped body, with fat worn mostly around the hips, buttocks and thighs, is not as bad for the heart as the apple-shaped body with fat accumulated around the tummy. The latter has higher chance of other health risks like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke etc. which directly affect your heart. For men with 40 inches of waist line you are more prone to heart disease. For women, it is 35 inches.
Regular exercise, an active life style and the proper diet can lower the risks of heart disease. You should avoid smoking. Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol level regularly.
Overweight and heart disease , the number one killer disease in America.
Overweight and Heart Disease DISEASE
No comments:
Post a Comment