Overweight, Obesity and Your Heart

INTRODUCTION:

Obesity is an epidemic. More than two-third of U.S. Adults are obese or overweight (CDC Staff Authors, 2012). Obesity is defined as having a body mass index of greater than 30; while overweight is a BMI of 25-29.9. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Staff Writers, 2012). Obesity and overweight Americans are driving healthcare cost higher. In 2011, the total economic cost of this problem was $270 billion per year. Obesity does more than increase health care spending; the cost to the body is astronomical. Disease is directly related or exacerbated by being obese or overweight. Obesity affects every system in the body.

Overweight, obesity and your Heart

Hypertension or high blood pressure can be related to overweight and obesity. Hypertension is three times more common in obese individual than those of normal weight. (Eckel, 1997) Being overweight or obese put additional stress on the heart and arteries. The body normally reacts by secreting from the adrenal glands a stress hormone called aldosterone. This hormone causes the body to increase water and sodium retention which will cause hypertension. (Web MD Staff-a, 2012) Hypertension is a disorder in which the pressure in one's arteries is too high. Once hypertension has developed it tends to last for a life time. (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute staff writers, 2012).

Congestive heart failure is a serious health problem. Congestive Heart Failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body's other organs. When the physician examines for a patient for congestive heart failure, they will focus on detecting the presence of fluid in the body. There are many diagnostic test that may be done such as electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, x-ray's and ultrasound. Overweight and obesity have been identified as risk factors for congestive heart failure. Approximately eleven percent of men and fourteen percent of women with heart failure can be attributed to obesity alone. (Kenchaiah, Evans, Levy, & Wilson, 2002)

Obesity plays a contributing factor in the development of coronary artery disease. This occurs when fat and cholesterol build up in the walls of the arteries, forming plaque. The coronary arteries cannot carry enough oxygenated blood to the muscular layer of the heart, the myocardium. The result is angina pectoris. (Turley S. , 2011)

Obesity and the Gastric system

Obesity raise the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease. (Hitti, 2005) GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive disorder that allows the return of the stomach's contents back up into the esophagus. This causes esophagitis (inflammation or irritation of the esophagus), belching and a sore throat. (Turley S. , 2011)There is no conclusion as to why obesity increases the risk of GERD. However, in eight out of nines studies as the BMI increased, so the number of GERD cases. (Hitti, 2005)

The liver is the second largest organ in the body. It is located on the right side of the stomach, protected by the ribs. The gallbladder is located under the liver, as is the pancreas and intestines. These organs are all part of the digestive system and play a role in the digestion and absorption of food. When a person is obese, they increase their risk for fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease is a buildup of extra fat in the liver cells, mainly triglycerides. If the weight of the liver is more than five percent of fat, then this is fatty liver. Fatty liver disease causes the liver to swell and become damaged. (American Liver Foundation Staff Writer, 2011)

Cholelithiasis is a medical term meaning gallstones. Obesity is a substantial risk factor for this condition. Gallstones are deposit of digestive fluid that forms in the gallbladder. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2011) While many gallstones are a small and not an issue, other are large and can cause extreme pain.

Lungs

Exacerbation of asthma has been linked to obesity. Obesity causes a negative effect on the lungs. It reduces the lung volume capacity. These changes in volume reduce the smooth muscles stretch. Breathing is hampered by the small breaths, which makes the condition worse. Weight loss has shown improvements in the symptoms of asthma. (Weiss, 2005)

Obstructive Sleep Apnea-

Sleep Apnea is a condition that is exacerbated by obesity. Apnea means without breathing. Sleep apnea occurs when there is a blockage in the airway. The airway consists of the nasal cavity, mouth, throat and the trachea. The airway collapses and becomes fully blocked. This does not allow air to flow into the lungs. The diaphragm and chest muscle begin to work to open the airway and get air into the lungs. When breathing does resume, it is usually with a loud gasp. These apnea episodes interfere with normal sleep, reduce oxygen to organs and can cause heart arrhythmia. (WebMD Staff-c, 2012)

Infertility

Women wanting to have a baby, obesity can be an obstacle. Women who are obese can have a difficult time conceiving a child. Jan Willem van der Steeg, MD states "obesity is an additional risk factor for infertility in women who have regular (menstrual) cycles. (Boyles, 2007). Obesity is a risk factor for ovulation problems as well. Men are not exempt from infertility problems when obese. When obese men were compared to men of normal body weight, they were found to have a low sperm count or no viable sperm. (Rown, 2012)

Erectile dysfunction can be exacerbated by obesity. An erection occurs when the blood vessel to the penis is filled with blood. The process begins when the endothelium (inner lining of the vessel) releases nitric oxide, causing the muscle to relax.