Weight Loss Specialist

Why is weight loss important for my heart health?

Being overweight or obese is a leading risk factor for numerous health problems, from sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes to joint pain and depression. One of the main areas where excess weight can prove dangerous to your health is your cardiovascular system — your heart and blood vessels.

Excess body weight significantly increases your risk of high cholesterol and a condition called atherosclerosis, where fatty plaque gathers in your arteries and restricts blood flow. Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of potentially life-threatening cardiovascular diseases such as:

Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) results from atherosclerosis in the arteries that deliver blood to your heart. CAD is the chief cause of heart disease and heart attacks.

Peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) describes plaque that builds up in the arteries outside of your heart, primarily in your legs. It can lead to arterial ulcers, gangrene, and amputation.

Carotid artery disease

Atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries in your neck can cut off blood flow to your brain, resulting in a stroke.

Understanding the health risks of being overweight doesn't always help people lose weight successfully.

Why am I struggling to lose weight?

It could be that an underlying health issue like hypothyroidism or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is affecting your ability to lose weight. Undergoing a physical examination before trying to lose weight can help uncover any weight loss barriers like these.

Receiving treatment for existing health problems can help you achieve your weight loss goals, and you're even more likely to succeed if you follow a weight loss program under medical supervision.

How does medical weight loss improve my heart health?

Losing weight is basically simple math — you need to take in fewer calories than you burn every day. What's not so easy is finding the combination of diet and exercise that works for you.

Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates can help by offering expert guidance and information on the types of foods to eat and those to avoid, how different types of exercise burn fat, and how to make changes like giving up smoking. They can also monitor your heart health during your weight loss plan to ensure you're not overexerting yourself.

If you already have a cardiovascular condition, your provider can prescribe medications like cholesterol- and blood pressure-lowering drugs to help you stay safe. They also perform procedures like minimally invasive balloon angioplasty and stenting to open up narrowed arteries.

If you're overweight and worried about how to reach your weight loss goals, call Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates today or book an appointment online.