There are a couple of reasons why being overweight may be dangerous for your heart. If you have too much body fat, you probably also have too much

 

 

 

 

 

LDL cholesterol
LDL cholesterol is often called "bad cholesterol." It is carried in the blood by molecules called low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). A high level of LDL cholesterol places you at risk for heart disease and atherosclerosis.

 

 

 

 

 

low-density lipoprotein (or LDL) cholesterol in your blood. This type of cholesterol can clog the vessels that supply your heart with blood. You may also have

 

 

 

 

 

high blood pressure
Your blood pressure is considered to be high when it is above the accepted normal range. The usual limit for normal blood pressure is 140/90. If either the first (systolic) number is above 140 or the lower (diastolic) number is above 90, a person is considered to have high blood pressure. Doctors sometimes call high blood pressure "hypertension."

 

 

 

 

 

high blood pressure. And carrying too much weight makes your heart work harder.

If you want to find out whether you are overweight, you can figure out your Body Mass Index (BMI). The Body Mass Index is a formula that compares your height with your weight. People with BMIs of 25 or higher are considered overweight.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
National Institutes of Health.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults 1998.
Available at http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/oei_ss/download/pdf/CORESET1.pdf (accessed on 28 October 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

¹ Those with BMIs of 30 or more are obese. If you fall into either of these categories, you might want to talk to your doctor to find out how you can lose weight safely.

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