Moderate weight loss cuts heart disease risk
January 24th, 2009 - 12:52 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Jan 24 (ANI): Even a moderate weight reduction in fat individuals could save them a lifetime of health troubles, especially heart disease, says a new study.
Doctors at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Houston have demonstrated a significant motivation to drop even a modest amount of weight.
Obesity appears to be the central component of the metabolic syndrome. Our study have shown that weight loss of as little as 6.5 percent in individuals with the disease results in substantial reductions in blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol, all factors that lead to heart disease, said Christie Ballantyne, M.D., director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and Baylor College of Medicine.
These impressive results occur early in the weight loss, well before individuals even begin to approach their ideal body weight, the expert added.
Every risk factor of the metabolic syndrome can be tied to increased risk for heart disease. However, research shows that all risk factors were reduced by even moderate weight loss, and equivalent benefits from medications may have required three different drugs for blood pressure, lipids and glucose.
Continued weight loss shows significant improvements in both blood pressure and triglycerides.
The study demonstrates that weight loss is an effective tool to lessen the cardiovascular risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome. (ANI)
- Moderate weight loss helps obese avoid heart disease risk - Jan 25, 2009
- Are diet soft drinks invitation to heart attacks? - Feb 01, 2012
- Vegetarians have lower risk of heart disease, stroke - Apr 14, 2011
- Tangerines help prevent obesity, protect against heart disease - Apr 07, 2011
- Mediterranean diet a sound recipe for healthy living - Mar 08, 2011
- Cardiologist offers heart-healthy tips for women - Jan 31, 2010
- Obese patients at higher risk from major complications after surgery - Apr 19, 2011
- Insulin resistance may be linked to stroke risk - Oct 12, 2010
- Pine bark extract improves kidney function in patients with metabolic syndrome - Mar 02, 2011
- Grapes cut risk factors for heart disease and diabetes - Apr 27, 2010
- Vegans 'at lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke' - Apr 14, 2011
- Glucose intolerance in pregnancy linked to postpartum cardiovascular risk - Dec 02, 2009
- Diseased heart valve replaced through small hole in the leg - Feb 22, 2011
- Childhood obesity increases heart disease risk later in life - Jan 27, 2010
- Be nutty for good health - Apr 13, 2012
Tags: ballantyne, baylor college of medicine, cardiovascular disease prevention, cardiovascular risk factors, central component, college of medicine, debakey, equivalent benefits, health troubles, heart disease, heart disease risk, ideal body weight, impressive results, metabolic syndrome, moderate weight loss, risk factor, significant improvements, substantial reductions, vascular center, weight reduction