Weight and Coronary Artery Disease

Overview

There is a strong link between being overweight and the risk for coronary artery disease. Being overweight increases your chances of having risk factors for the disease. These include high blood pressure, Opens dialog, diabetes, Opens dialog, and high cholesterol, Opens dialog.

Losing weight and staying at a healthy weight can help lower your risk for coronary artery disease. Weight loss often improves other risk factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Losing weight may also help control diabetes.

If you have coronary artery disease, your doctor will likely suggest staying at a healthy weight or losing weight if you need to. Your doctor can help you find a weight-loss program that can work for you.

What is the importance of waist circumference?

Waist circumference is the distance around your waist. Measuring it is a way to check how much fat is on your belly. Having extra belly fat increases your risk of health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.