It also increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and congestive heart failure. When high blood pressure exists with obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol levels or diabetes, the risk of heart attack or stroke increases several times. Even modest levels of low-intensity physical activity are beneficial if done regularly and long term. Exercise can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity as well as help to lower blood pressure in some people. People who have excess body fat are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke even if they have no other risk factors.
Obesity is unhealthy because excess weight increases the strain on the heart.
It's directly linked with coronary heart disease because it influences blood pressure, blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and makes diabetes more likely to develop. If you can lose as little as 10 to 20 pounds, you can help lower your heart disease risk. Obesity joins American Heart Association's list of major risk factors for heart attack Questions and answers about obesity Obesity and overweight Healthier eating for a healthier heart Diabetes seriously increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Even when glucose levels are under control, diabetes seriously increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. More than 80 percent of people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease.