Heart Disease and Stroke
Wednesday, April 11th, 2007
Overweight people aremore likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides (blood fats) and LDL (”bad cholesterol”), and low levels of HDL cholesterol (”good cholesteol”). These are all risk factors for heart disease and stroke. In addition, people with more body fat have higher blood levels of substances that cause inflammation. Inflammation in blood vessels and throughout the body may raise heart disease risk.
Losing 5 - 15% of your weightcan lower your chances for developing heart disease or having a stroke. Weight loss may improve your blood pressure, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels; improve how your heart works and your blood flows; and decrease inflammation throughout your body.