Even a Little Weight Loss Can Improve Heart Health

Source: Tufts University
December 20, 2002 (Reviewed: December 16, 2004)

You've probably heard it time and time again - being overweight can increase your risk for heart disease. The good news, however, is that when overweight people lose just a modest amount of weight, significant cardiac benefits are possible. That's according to a recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The effects of weight loss on angina

Researchers in Scotland studied 49 people, average age 60, who were overweight and who had a history of angina (chest pain). For 12 weeks, the subjects (who lived at home and ate their own food) followed dietary advice to cut their food intake by 600 calories daily, and consume at least 50% of their calories from carbohydrates and less than 35% from fat and 20% from protein. The subjects did not participate in any form of physical activity to lose weight.

At the end of 12 weeks, the participants had lost an average of 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg), reducing their weight by an average of 4.3%. At the same time, the average frequency of angina episodes fell from 3.2 to 1.4 per week. All subjects also lowered their total cholesterol.

How does weight loss help?

The exact mechanisms by which weight loss may have improved angina in this study are not known, but the researchers say that clinicians frequently observe reduced frequency of angina pain in their patients who lose even a small amount of weight.

Attainable goals

Still, the researchers say that one of the most important messages of this study is that the results achieved are likely attainable by many people. The participants in this study lost weight by doing what most nutrition experts recommend - by reducing their caloric intake and by following a reasonable diet, like the one recommended by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. (They did not, however, include regular physical activity, which most experts agree is also integral to achieving and maintaining weight loss.)

If you are overweight and have heart disease - or believe you are at risk for heart disease - see your doctor for an examination and ask for a referral to a registered dietitian, who can advise you on how you can follow a diet similar to the one in this study.

While the prospect of losing weight can be daunting, it's helpful to know that even small changes can make a difference when it comes to your health.

Source

• Effects of moderate weight loss on anginal symptoms and indices of coagulation and fibrinolysis in overweight patients with angina pectoris. CR. Hankey, MEJ. Lean, GDO. Lowe,  et al., Eur J Clin Nutr, 2002, vol. 56, pp. 1039--1045

Related Links
Weight Loss: Small Steps Add Up to Large Rewards
Extra Weight Means Extra Risks for Your Heart
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Tool: What's Your Ideal Weight?
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