The University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center found through one of its study led by cardiologist M. Reza Movahed, MD, PhD that obesity or excessive body weight increases the risks of heart diseases. This is because the extra body mass causes the heart muscles in the left ventricle to thicken. The left ventricle is called the left ventricular hypertrophy as it is the pumping chamber of the heart. Such condition can lead to enlargement of the heart which then leads to heart failure and other rhythm problems. The term hypertrophy is medical, and which means an enlargement of an organ. In this case, the heart.

“In our observation, the thickening of the muscle wall is more apparent in obese patients having a Body Mass Index of 30 or highe,” Movahed explained, “the previous studies revealed that the left ventricular hypertrophy is linked with a higher risk of mortality,” concluded Movahed.

The researchers of that university observed the moving images of the heart from 17,261 ultrasounds to analyze the structure and function. Their findings concluded that the narrowing of the aortic valve, which is the primary valve in carrying the blood away from the heart and pass it throughout the body, was the strongest indicator of LVH. Gender and Body Mass Index followed. Cleveland clinic diet basically observed the same thing and teach the same prevention steps.

Being the principal organ of the cardiovascular system, the heart is about the size of clenched fist and a muscular pump. Having an enlargement of the heart is just a precursor of even more serious heart disease, although in itself it is already serious. An enlarged heart is an indication of a fundamental problem that makes the heart to work harder than it should.

Some of the causes that make the heart to work doubly hard include the coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocarditis, atherosclerosis, obesity, thyroid diseases, heart valve diseases, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, physical inactivity, and diet.

While obesity is a risk factor, some of the causes of enlargement may also be triggered by obesity. This includes the hypertension, coronary artery disease, and atherosclerosis.

The coronary heart disease develops when fatty substances or plagues start to accumulate at the outer layer of the artery, causing it to damage and break as the plagues thicken. This process is called atherosclerosis, in which the arteries become hardened and narrowed by the plagues. In turn, the narrowing results to a restricted blood flow and consequently, restricted blood supply.

Atherosclerosis may cause an organ failure such as the heart and kidney as oxygen supply is put to a halt due to the blockade. In time, the blockade may cause a blood clot, which can travel through the arteries. Eventually, the blood clots will rupture. If the rupture is on the artery connected to the brain, the individual will have a stroke. If it is connected to the heart, there will be a heart attack.

Hypertension occurs when the heart exerts more force in pumping the blood in the heart—in entry and exit—through the arteries. This causes a strain in the heart as the pressure of the blood increases as the heart pumps with great force.

In all 3 conditions, cholesterol from high fat diets is the primary culprit. They float in the bloodstream allowing the bad fats to linger and stick to the outer lining of the arteries. An enlargement of the heart is just another pre-condition to any of these diseases. Now that you know how dangerous obesity is I hope you can take progressive steps by joining weight watchers group or any local support group to help yourself lose weight.

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