How Obesity Affects Your Heart And Why You Should Be Concerned

If you gain a few extra pounds, then you are probably thinking that the weight will eventually come off. Most people gain weight because of the type of food and how much you eat. However, it is time to get concerned when the extra pounds keep piling on.

Excess pounds do more than just increase your weight. They also increase your risk for major health problems. Read on to find out how obesity affects your heart and why you should be concerned. 

Lose Pounds For A Healthy Future

Many people are not concerned about gaining weight when they are young. They feel that time is on their side because of their age. However, you are not going to stay in your 20s forever. If you carry excess body weight in your early adulthood, then you could develop an enlarged heart later in life. This is more likely to occur when you keep the weight on for years.

Get Diagnosed

People who have been overweight for most of their lives tend to see an increase in the size of their heart. The weight increases the size of the heart's left ventricular and the thickness of the chamber walls. This can lead to cardiovascular disease and eventually death.

An echocardiography is a test that uses ultrasound waves to make images of your heart. It shows the movement of different parts, structure, and size of the organ. You can get a snapshot of the septum, the heart valves and the walls of your heart chambers. An echocardiogram can even show the blood moving through your heart.

This test is often used for detecting an enlarged heart. It can give a doctor a lot of details about a patient's heart. An echocardiogram provides accurate dimensions about the thickness of the heart's walls and the chamber. If a doctor does this test, then it can detect the enlargement of your heart chamber and wall. This test also provides information about the right and left side of your heart.

Lose The Weight

The extra weight puts stress on your body and affects how it functions. You need to lose weight, and you will see an improvement in your health. The best way to lose weight depends on your actual size. If you are less than 400 pounds, then you may want to lose weight with a good diet and regular exercise. People who are extremely obese may want to consider weight loss surgery.

You should never minimize the seriousness of being overweight. If you are ready to lose weight, then it is time to schedule an appointment with your doctor.

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