If you carry excess pounds, healthy weight control can benefit more than your waistline. In fact, research shows that extra weight can increase your risk for atrial fibrillation (AFib) — heartbeat irregularities that can lead to blood clots, stroke, and heart attack — by 49%. And that’s just one example.
Our team of experienced experts at Arundel Medical Group, Inc., located in Glen Burnie, Maryland, diagnoses and treats heart-related conditions, as well as provides medical weight loss programs to improve your overall health.
Keep reading if you’re curious about ways weight loss can improve your heart health.
How excess pounds affect your heart
While wishing to fit into smaller jeans or feel more comfortable in a bathing suit motivates many people to lose weight, the most crucial reason is heart health. Excess weight can cause plaque to build up in the arteries that carry blood to your organs, including your heart.
As a result, you can experience:
- AFib
- Blood clots
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Inflammation throughout your body
- Stroke
Being significantly overweight also increases your risk of heart failure by 5-7%. These are some reasons obesity is considered a disease and the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
Improving your heart health through weight loss
The first step toward improving your heart with weight loss is getting adequately assessed by an expert. At Arundel Medical Group, Inc., our team will help you decide on the best weight loss program for you. In addition to discussing your weight, lifestyle habits, and medical history, we may run blood tests to determine if an underlying condition, like thyroid disease or depression, underlies your weight challenges.
Once a weight loss plan is approved, our team designs it based on your health needs and preferences.
Your program may include:
- A dietary plan
- Exercise guidelines
- Other lifestyle changes, such as improved sleep habits
- Treatment for any underlying conditions
We will also determine if you’re a candidate for phentermine — a weight loss medication that increases your metabolism, boosts your energy, and curbs your appetite.
A healthier future
Once you embark on a weight loss program with our team, we’ll guide and support you. Don’t worry if your weight loss seems “slow and steady.” 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week is ideal for most people.
You don’t want to attempt significant weight loss on your own, especially given that fad diets are notorious for health risks and dismal results.
Once you reach a healthy weight range, we’ll help you keep those pounds off. That maintenance is important, given that a weight that yo-yos can stress your heart.
If you’re struggling to lose weight, don’t hesitate to seek the support you deserve. Call Arundel Medical Group, Inc., or request an appointment via this website today.