Obesity and Cholesterol: 2 Diseases That affect the heart

When we start consuming more energy calories than required, these extra calories start to accumulate in the body’s appendages. If this balance is disturbed for a long time, the person becomes a victim of obesity.

What is Obesity?

If the accumulated fat in the body exceeds 10% of the total body weight of men and 15% of the total body weight of women, then it is called obesity. If the amount of energy in the body increases more than its expenditure, then it accumulates in the organs of the body, if this process continues, grossness occurs.

What is the difference between Overweight And Obesity?

If a person’s weight is 10 percent more than the ideal weight, then that person can be said to be overweight, but if this weight is 20 percent more, then it is called obesity.

A low-calorie diet and exercise are the most popular methods worldwide for controlling grossness. Although healthy diet and exercise can reduce weight burden in individuals with overweight and moderate grossness, these methods fail to combat severe obesity in the long term, as the body becomes accustomed to a higher weight surface in individuals with severe obesity. In these individuals, if weight loss is initially achieved with dieting, the weight will rebound, followed by excessive weight gain and progression to obesity.

What diseases are caused by Obesity?

As grossness increases, the risk of many diseases increases.

• Not having bladder control.
• Cancer.
• Serious problems in pregnancy.
• Coronary hard disease.
• Arthritis.
• Cholesterol.
• High blood pressure.
• Hyper insulinemia.
• Menstrual disorders and infertility.
• Mental problems like disordered eating, body carelessness, apathy, lack of self-esteem, depression, etc.
• Uric acid kidney stones.
• Stone in the uterus.

How does Obesity affect the heart?

Along with weight gain, the shape of the heart also changes. And the size increases. In this condition, the heart has to work harder to supply blood to the whole body. The constant contraction and expansion of the heart cause the overworked muscles to thin the left and right ventricles, resulting in an effect on the heart’s function.

With time, the heart cannot bear this workload, and shortness of breath leads to congestive heart failure.
An obese person also often suffers from high blood pressure. thereby increasing the workload of the heart. Due to increased pressure, the heart muscles become weak.

The heart cannot do the work of pumping the blood properly. This situation can be improved by reducing the weight. However, medicines have to be taken.

Most obese individuals cannot breathe freely during sleep. Breathing difficulties are seen as air oxygen cannot reach the lungs freely, this reduces the oxygen content in the blood and affects the heart rate. In such a situation, the patient dies even during sleep.

Blood pressure in the lungs increases due to the decrease in oxygen content in the blood. As a result, the right side of the heart is affected and the function of pushing the blood forward is not done properly. Due to this, the person also has difficulty in breathing.

How does cholesterol affect the heart?

Cholesterol is a type of fat. Which makes many hormones including testosterone and estrogen hormones. It is very important for the good health of many vital organs of the body such as the liver and intestines. It boosts metabolism. Keeps the heart healthy.

It is a type of fat called lipoprotein.
There are two types of lipoproteins.
1. Low-density lipoproteins are called LDL. LDL is considered good cholesterol. Which is very good for our health.
2. High-density lipoprotein is called HDL. HDL is considered bad cholesterol. An increase of which is harmful to our health. When the amount of bad cholesterol is high, it begins to accumulate in the blood arteries. This fat gets stuck in the arteries of the heart. As a result, it causes heart disease and heart attack.

The amount of cholesterol in the blood is low. Its total amount in the blood is only 7.5 grams. It never breaks down. It forms the walls of cells. It is also beneficial for hormones. It is thus very useful and has nothing to do with being overweight.

How to Reduce Cholesterol Levels?

There are three sources.

1. What kind of food do we eat?

• The first source of cholesterol in our body is food. It is found in all types of meat, fish, pork, ham, chicken, etc. Our body needs a maximum of one gram of cholesterol per day, meat, and fish mean this amount is more than one gram in a non-vegetarian. In this way, they increase cholesterol intake.
• Non-vegetarian foods are high in fat, so avoid non-vegetarians.
• Oats are best consumed for breakfast. It is known as a nutritional powerhouse. Regular consumption of oats for 60 days can reduce bad cholesterol by about five percent. People who eat oats regularly also reduce their chances of developing diabetes.
• Dry fruits are a fat store. However, according to research, some dry fruits are very good in terms of health as they are rich in protein, fiber, and vitamins A, B, and C. The healthy fatty acids in it help in reducing it.
• Almonds and pistachios are rich in monounsaturated fats. It helps to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol.
• The properties of green vegetables do not allow fat and cholesterol to increase in the body. Apart from this, the body’s digestive system does not have to work hard to digest it. Green vegetables contain iron, calcium, and vitamin ABC which help in lowering cholesterol, and the health elements they contain improve blood circulation.
• Olive oil is very good for cholesterol patients. The monounsaturated fatty acids it contains help in lowering cholesterol.

2. Cholesterol produced by the liver in the body

It is also produced in the body by the liver. 60% of the body’s cholesterol is produced in the liver.
Many people get high levels of traditional cholesterol. If cholesterol is high in parents, it can also occur in children. Such people should be given some medicines along with diet control. So that the amount of cholesterol is not produced in the liver.

3. Cholesterol produced by lack of exercise and stress

Due to lack of exercise and stress, cholesterol level also increases, the same condition is commonly seen in people nowadays. Which indirectly causes overweight.

Is Bariatric surgery effective?

Bariatric surgery is an excellent established treatment strategy for overweight and overweight associated with co-morbidities, improvement in quality of life, and survival in severely overweight Morbid obesity can be effectively treated with bariatric surgery, with long-lasting results that significantly reduce the risk of cancer.

Bariatric Surgery Before and After

Pre-Operative Considerations

Individuals go through a thorough examination process prior to having bariatric surgery to establish their eligibility and the best surgical option for their particular situation. Typically, the evaluation consists of:

1. Medical Assessment: Patients are thoroughly evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including a surgeon, dietitian, psychologist, and sometimes an endocrinologist. This comprehensive evaluation ensures that the patient is medically and psychologically fit for surgery.
2. Choosing the Right Procedure: There are several types of bariatric surgeries available, including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding (such as the Lap-Band).
3. Lifestyle Changes: Patients are often required to make significant lifestyle changes before surgery. This may include adopting a specific diet, quitting smoking, and addressing any underlying psychological issues related to food and eating behaviors.
4. Education and Support: Many bariatric surgery programs provide education and support to help patients prepare for surgery.

Once the pre-operative preparations are complete, the patient undergoes bariatric surgery. The specific details of the surgery depend on the chosen procedure, but the overarching goal is to reduce the size of the stomach or alter the digestive tract to restrict food intake and promote early satiety. Here are brief descriptions of two common bariatric procedures:

1. Gastric Bypass: In this procedure, the surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach and connects it directly to the small intestine.
2. Sleeve Gastrectomy: This procedure involves removing a large portion of the stomach, leaving a sleeve-shaped pouch. It reduces the stomach’s capacity and also affects hunger-regulating hormones, leading to decreased appetite.

After Bariatric Surgery

The journey doesn’t end with the surgery itself; in fact, it’s just the beginning of a transformative process. It requires a lifelong commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle to achieve and sustain weight loss. Here’s a look at the post-operative phase of the bariatric journey:

1. Immediate Recovery: After surgery, patients spend a few days in the hospital for monitoring and recovery. They gradually transition from a liquid to a soft diet as their bodies heal. Pain and discomfort are common but generally subside within a few weeks.
2. Dramatic Weight Loss: One of the most remarkable aspects of bariatric surgery is the rapid and significant weight loss that typically follows. Many patients see substantial improvements within the first year, often losing 50% or more of their excess body weight.
3. Improved Health: Weight loss after bariatric surgery is often accompanied by significant improvements in obesity-related health conditions.
4. Enhanced Mobility: As excess weight is shed, patients often experience improved mobility and reduced joint pain.
5. Psychological Benefits: It can have profound psychological benefits as well. Patients frequently speak about feeling more in control of their lives, having less anxiety and sadness, and having higher self-esteem.
6. Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Post-surgery, individuals must adhere to strict dietary guidelines. Initially, this involves consuming small, nutrient-dense meals and avoiding certain foods that can cause discomfort or dumping syndrome (a condition where food moves too quickly through the digestive tract).
7. Regular Follow-Up: Follow-up care is essential in the post-operative phase. Patients typically have regular appointments with their surgical team to monitor progress, address any concerns, and ensure they are getting the necessary nutrition.
8. Support Groups: Many individuals find strength and encouragement by participating in support groups specifically for bariatric surgery patients.
9. Body Image and Skin Removal Surgery: Rapid weight loss can leave excess skin, which can be uncomfortable and affect body image. Some patients choose additional procedures to remove extra skin and improve their appearance, such as an abdominoplasty or a Brachioplasty.

Bariatric surgery is a transformative journey that offers hope to those battling severe obesity. It’s not a quick fix but a powerful tool that, when combined with commitment and lifestyle changes, can lead to remarkable improvements in health and well-being. From the rigorous pre-operative assessments to the post-operative dedication to a new way of life, the bariatric surgery journey is marked by resilience, determination, and the promise of a healthier, happier future.