Weight Loss for Heart Health

One of the most significant ways to reduce your risk for heart disease is to lose weight. Research shows that even a modest reduction in weight can have serious benefits for your heart. Weight loss can reduce the workload of your heart by lowering your blood pressure, and a healthy weight and diet can lead to healthier cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of diabetes. All of these factors can lower the risk for many different heart diseases. 

While the idea of losing weight is appealing, the task of losing weight can be daunting. For your heart health, sustained weight loss is better than a fluctuating weight brought on by fad diets and quick fixes. True weight loss takes time, effort, and a commitment to your health. 

Beyond that, there are many options, and the best one is the one that works for you. You will likely need to try different methods before finding the combination that you can continue long-term. In general, there are three keys to sustainable weight loss.

Exercise

Moving more is a vital part of any weight loss effort, and it’s good for your heart health even before the scale changes. For those who are currently sedentary, this may mean starting small with a short daily walk. As your endurance increases, extend your exercise sessions to build up to the recommended 30 minutes a day five times per week. 

Healthy food

Dietary needs may vary from person to person, and finding the right foods to eat and when can be a challenge. We know that, ultimately, eating a well-balanced diet with healthy foods that includes a reduction of calorie intake will lead to weight loss. But for many people, it’s hard to know what’s healthy because there is so much misinformation out there. Working with a dietician might be a good option to help modify your daily nutrition. 

Lifestyle change

Whatever changes you make to lose weight are important changes for life. Sometimes this means incorporating changes that make it possible to succeed. For example, get in the routine of looking at menus ahead of going out to eat or suggesting more active outings with friends. Slowly, these changes will become a routine part of your life.

Some patients who have a significant amount of weight to lose may be candidates for bariatric surgery. Even the route of surgery requires effort and a commitment to a changed lifestyle moving forward. Depending on the type of bariatric surgery, this may mean a restricted diet, increased need for vitamin supplementation, and generally eating less than before surgery. 

If you need to lose weight for your heart health, reach out to your doctor at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital. They can help you develop a plan and connect you to resources to help reach and maintain a healthy weight.