The United States is one of the most overweight nations in the world. The number one killer in the U.S. is heart disease. Could there be a connection? It has always been believed that being overweight or obese has no direct connection to heart disease. Recent studies have revealed that this is not the case. The indirect connections have been well known for many years. Being excessively overweight can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes all of which can lead to heart disease. New evidence has found that being excessively overweight can lead to heart disease independent of these indirect factors.

Obesity is now considered a major risk factor for heart disease. It causes an increase in triglyceride and cholesterol levels. The HDL or good cholesterol decreases which also raises the risk. Blood pressure levels can go up which strains the heart and causes premature aging of the arteries and diabetes can develop which makes the risk of heart attack much higher.

Studies have shown that as a person becomes obese there is a change in heart structure, and how the heart functions that sets it up for heart failure. There can also be disruptions in the heart’s electrical system. It is no longer able to function efficiently and is made to work harder. The left ventricles no longer have the ability to properly contract and relax, which prevents the blood from filling properly during the rest period between heartbeats. Researchers found that overweight and mildly obese individuals had the same impairments, but to a lesser, but still serious degree. Apart from indirect factors for heart disease, the risk to overweight individuals is 34% higher than individuals of normal weight and 104% higher for obese individuals.

In obese individual may feel perfectly healthy but early chemical signs of inflammation and damage have been found apart from the effects of high blood pressure and diabetes. In 2001, a study of 10,000 people was conducted and it was discovered that their is a direct link between obesity and heart disease. Another study revealed that the hearts in obese individuals are in a higher position in the chest than people of normal weight because their diaphragms have been elevated. Studies show that even people who are overweight but not obese, still substantially increase their risk of heart failure.

Low carb diets are not healthy or effective for weight loss because the body will hold on to fat if the calorie intake from food is insufficient for its daily energy needs. High protein diets are not healthy either because they consist of too much meat high in saturated fats and not enough fruit and vegetables high in vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Low sodium, potassium rich fruit and vegetables normalize blood pressure. Food from plant sources protect your body against free radical damage. B vitamins from grains and vegetables regulate homocysteine and prevent it from damaging arteries. Avoiding junk food high in fat and sugar will help reduce weight and rid the body of toxins. Eating healthy fats from flax seed and cold water fish decreases inflammation of the arteries and increases blood flow. Healthy fat burning exercises approved by your doctor should be done on a regular basis. A minimum of eight 8 ounce glasses of water should be taken daily.

Overweight and obese people are a high risk for heart disease indirectly through high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Recent studies now reveal that being excessively overweight or obese apart from all other factors greatly increases risk for heart disease and is now considered one of the heart disease causes. Making a lifestyle change to a healthy diet and proper exercise will help to eliminate the risk of heart disease and all illnesses associated with it.