How obesity affects the heart

Obesity is a chronic health condition where a person has excessive amounts of adipose tissue. Adipose tissue is commonly known as body fat. Adipose tissue is a connective tissue that helps give the body structure, protects internal organs, and insulates against heat and cold. Adipose tissue can also be thought of as an organ, because it plays a role in hormone production, immunity, reproductive health, metabolism, and many other essential processes within the body.

The body requires a certain amount of adipose tissue to function normally and remain healthy. When there is too much (or too little) problems occur. Having too much adipose tissue is very common. Over 40 percent of American adults over the age of 20 are affected by obesity. Obesity also affects many children and adolescents.

Additionally, many adults, adolescents, and children in America are overweight—their bodyweight is above what is considered healthy, but below what is categorized as obese.

Obesity and cardiovascular disease

The cardiovascular system includes the heart, arteries, and blood vessels. Also known as the circulatory system, it circulates the blood to deliver oxygen, nutrients, and other important substances to all parts of the body.

Also known as heart disease, cardiovascular disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Examples include heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms), and coronary artery disease (plaque buildup in the major blood vessels that supply the heart).

Obesity causes damage to the cardiovascular system and increases a person’s risk of these conditions (and many others).

How does obesity contribute to cardiovascular disease?

Mentioned above, adipose tissue can be thought of as an organ. It plays a role in many essential processes in the body, and when there are excess amounts of adipose tissue, many processes become disrupted. These disruptions contribute to conditions like cardiovascular disease. Examples include:

• Cholesterol. Obesity contributes to unbalanced cholesterol levels, higher-than-normal amounts of fats in the blood. While the body requires some cholesterol to build and repair cells, unhealthy cholesterol levels contribute to arterial plaque.
• Blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts on the blood vessel walls as it travels through the body. Hypertension is blood pressure that is continuously higher than normal, and this can damage the heart. Obesity is believed to be one of the leading contributors to hypertension.
• Blood glucose. Obesity is also associated with insulin resistance and diabetes. These conditions lead to elevated blood glucose levels, which cause damage to blood vessels. Many people who have diabetes also have heart disease.
• Structural changes to the heart. Obesity has also been shown to contribute to structural changes to the heart, including the thickening of cardiac muscle. This can result in irregular heart rhythms and contribute to heart attacks.

Treatment for obesity

If you are affected by overweight or obesity and are concerned about its effects on your heart or other aspects of your health, talk to a healthcare provider and ask about treatment options. Overweight and obesity are treatable. Weight reduction and maintaining a healthier weight can help improve cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood glucose, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.