Losing weight can help improve your quality of life in so many ways. What most people don’t realize is that losing weight affects so much more than just your appearance. From an increase in confidence to a reduced risk of developing certain health conditions, there are many reasons to take the first step on your journey to weight loss and better health.
Blood Vessels
Your blood vessels carry the blood that your heart requires to continue beating. As you lose weight, body fat is reduced and with that, plaque that can clog your coronary arteries is reduced as well. As you lose weight and plaque is reduced, the workload on your heart is often significantly diminished as well. Therefore, the more weight you lose, the lower your risk of heart attack or developing heart disease.
Blood Fats
As you lose weight, the blood fats (or lipids) found in your bloodstream will change. To better understand how this can help improve your heart health, let’s define a few terms first:
Triglycerides
Energy-storing fats found in the blood stream that come from the food a person eats.
LDL Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein, also known as the “bad cholesterol”, can lead to a build-up of fat in your arteries, which can raise the risk of heart attack, stroke and/or peripheral artery disease.
HDL Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein, also known as the “good cholesterol”, may be able to help protect against heart attack and stroke. It carries the LDL cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver, where it can be broken down and leave the body.
How it works…
As you lose weight, the blood fats will change and your triglycerides and LDL cholesterol count will both go down. As this happens, your HDL cholesterol is raised instead, thus improving the health of your heart.
Blood Clots
Weight loss is often associated with lower blood pressure, which can in turn result in fewer blood clots in the veins. This can drastically reduce the risk of a blood clot breaking free of the vein and travelling to the heart, lungs or brain, where it may cause heart attacks or strokes.
Your Stomach
Those who carry excess weight in their stomach area can have a higher risk of heart attack or heart disease than those who have their body fat distributed evenly. This is because the weight around the middle is made up of mainly visceral fat, also known as the fat that is notorious for encasing internal organs.
How to Lose Weight and Improve Heart Health
Committing to a healthier lifestyle is the first step to long-term weight loss. Although there is no perfect recipe for weight loss, here are some tips to help you get started:
- Eat a healthy diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, healthy oils, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean protein, fewer processed foods, less sugar, and spices rather than salt
- Stay active and workout regularly, including both cardiovascular exercise and weight training
- Get enough sleep every night
- Drink at least 10 glasses of water a day
- Use a fitness tracker, fitness watch or mobile app to help you stay on track
- Participate in an effective weight loss program
- Consider bariatric surgery or a weight loss procedure
Before you begin your weight loss journey, we suggest speaking with your physician or a healthcare professional first, to ensure you make the right decision for your health.
How SmartShape™ Can Help
Are you a good candidate for weight loss surgery? Our experts at the SmartShape™ Weight Loss Centre can help you find out. We can provide you with a full assessment and help you determine which weight loss procedure is right for you. Visit our website, send us an email at [email protected] or give our weight loss centre a call at 1-888-278-7952 to get started today.