O

obesity and cardiovascular disease OBESITY, a
condition in which excess body weight is 20 per-
cent or more above healthy weight as a result of
excessive body fat, emerged in the 1990s as an
independent risk factor for CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
(CVD). This means that without any other addi-
tional RISK FACTORS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE,
obesity makes CVD more likely. However, the
relationship between obesity and CVD is complex.
Other health conditions associated with obesity
also increase the risk for numerous types of car-
diovascular disease. Prominent among them are
HYPERTENSION(high BLOOD PRESSURE), INSULIN RESIST-
ANCE, HYPERLIPIDEMIA, andDIABETES. Some health
experts believe obesity is as significant a risk factor
for cardiovascular disease as cigarette smoking.

Doctors define obesity as a BODY MASS INDEX

(BMI) of 30 kilograms per meter squared (kg/m^2 )

or higher. This corresponds to about 20 percent

above healthy weight. BMI correlates body weight

with health risk. At a BMI of 30, a person is likely

to have at least one health condition associated

with obesity. As BMI rises, so do the associated

health conditions and the risk for cardiovascular

disease. When BMI reaches 40, it is unusual for

there not to be some form of cardiovascular disease

present.

Obesity affects cardiovascular function mechan-

ically and metabolically. Excessive body fat pres-

sures the BLOODvessels, causing the heart to work

harder to pump blood through them. As well,

there is more surface area that the cardiovascular

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BMI AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK

BMI (kg/m2) Cardiovascular Risk Conditions
18.5–24.9: healthy not affected none

25–29.9: overweight increased HYPERLIPIDEMIA; HYPERTENSION
manageable through lifestyle

30–34.9: OBESITY high hyperlipidemia; hypertension; ATHEROSCLEROSIS
manageable through lifestyle and medication

35–39.9: severe obesity very high hyperlipidemia; hypertension; atherosclerosis; mild to moderate
CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE(CAD); DIABETES(type 2);OBSTRUCTIVEsleep
apnea
management requires multiple medications

40+: morbid obesity extremely high hyperlipidemia; hypertension; atherosclerosis; moderate to severe
CAD; symptomaticHEART FAILURE; diabetes; obstructive sleep apnea
multiple medications necessary though may not entirely manage
cardiovascular conditions