- Coronary disease occurs when the small blood vessels in the heart that supply oxygen and blood begin to narrow.
- The relationship between coronary disease and obesity starts at your waist. The excess body fat around your waistline puts you at greater risk for heart disease.
- Obesity increases the amount of work your heart has to do to pump blood through your body. Excess weight also lowers your good, or high-density lipoprotein (HDL), cholesterol levels. In addition, it raises your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) blood cholesterol, triglyceride and blood pressure levels.
- Although it may be difficult to lose weight if you're obese, the American Heart Association suggests losing even 10 lbs. can lower your risk for heart disease.
- Other than obesity, lifestyle factors also can place you at greater risk for coronary disease. For instance, high blood cholesterol, smoking, lack of exercise, high blood pressure and diabetes are all additional risk factors.
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