Obesity is one of the biggest causes of non-communicable, lifestyle diseases today. According to the World Health Organisation, close to 1.9 billion adults were obese in the year 2014. Around 2.8 million people die due to some complications associated with obesity every year. A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology notes that obese people who may otherwise be healthy and free from ailments like diabetes, hypertension, et cetera may still run at a high risk of heart failure. Such individuals are 96% more likely to be at a risk of heart failure over people with normal weight who are also metabolically healthy.
"Obese individuals with no metabolic risk factors are still at a higher risk of coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and heart failure than normal weight metabolically healthy individuals," noted lead author Rishi Caleyachetty, from the University of Birmingham. "Obese patients, irrespective of their metabolic status, should be encouraged to lose weight and that early detection and management of normal weight individuals with metabolic abnormalities will be beneficial in the prevention of CVD events," suggested Krish Nirantharakumar, senior lecturer from the varsity.
Experts studied electronic health records of close to 3.5 million British adults to assess cardiovascular diseases.
Tips to ensure a healthy heart
- Manage your weight, exercise regularly, lose weight if needed.
- Include fibre-rich foods in your diet, reduce consumption of high-calorie, nutrient-poor items.
- Monitor your alcohol consumption and keep it to minimum
- Keep a check on salt consumption. You must consume less than 5gms of salt (under a teaspoon) of salt every day.
- Foods rich in saturated, trans-fat and cholesterol must be avoided.
Inputs from IANS