Obesity & Your Heart

Why Extra Weight Can Be Hard on Your Heart

Obesity is more than a number on the scale. It can strain your heart, raise your risk for chronic illness, and lower your quality of life. At BaleDoneen, we focus on what causes the problem not just the weight.

What Obesity Does to the Heart

Extra fat puts pressure on your organs. Your heart has to work harder to pump blood. Over time, this can lead to:

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Insulin resistance
  • Heart failure
  • Trouble with blood flow
  • Inflammation in the arteries

People with obesity often have lower heart rate variability, which can mean more stress on the heart and less ability to recover.

Obesity

Waist Size Matters

Waist circumference tells us more than weight alone. Belly fat is a major risk for heart disease. Even people with a “normal” BMI can be at risk if most of their fat is around the belly.

This type of fat raises risk for:

  • Metabolic syndrome

  • Blood sugar spikes
  • Higher cholesterol
  • Blood clots

How Obesity Leads to Heart Problems

Carrying extra weight:

  • Raises resting and exercise heart rate
  • Makes the heart muscle thick and stiff

  • Increases cardiac stress
  • Slows blood flow
  • Raises chances of heart failure

The longer this goes on, the harder it is for the heart to keep up.

Can Weight Loss Help?

Yes. Even losing 5% to 10% of your body weight can:

  • Lower blood pressure
  • Improve blood sugar
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Lighten the heart’s workload
  • Improve heart rate variability

The body starts to heal once the pressure comes off the heart.

The Right Way to Lose Weight

At BaleDoneen Method, we never push crash diets. Fast weight loss often doesn’t last and can even hurt your heart.

Instead, we guide patients to:

  • Eat whole, simple foods
  • Move daily, even with short walks
  • Avoid sugar, fried foods, and soda
  • Get sleep and manage stress
  • Stay consistent over time

Small daily steps add up. Over time, they bring real change.

Signs You May Be at Risk

Watch for these signs, especially if your BMI is over 30 or your waist is large:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Belly fat that won’t go away

  • Swollen legs
  • Fast heart rate after little activity

These may point to metabolic syndrome or early heart failure.

Testing We May Recommend

We don’t guess. We check and track key numbers like:

  • Blood pressure
  • Waist size
  • Fasting blood sugar
  • Cholesterol levels
  • Inflammatory markers

  • Stress on the heart during activity

With this data, we create a plan that fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does obesity increase heart disease risk?

Can weight loss improve heart function?

What is the safest way to lose weight for heart health?

Is obesity linked to heart failure?

How does fat distribution affect cardiovascular risk?