Weight is only one factor when considering someone’s health, but researchers have found a correlation between heart issues and having extra weight. Having a larger body is a risk factor for heart disease because it can affect three key components of heart health: blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
D. Edmund Anstey, MD, MPH, is a cardiologist practicing in New York City.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Adult obesity facts.
National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Diabetes, heart disease, & stroke.
Rus, M., et al. (2023). Prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome: A prospective study on cardiovascular health. Medicina (Kaunas).
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Written by:
Lauren Smith, MALauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Reviewed by:
Karen Hovav, MD, FAAPKaren Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.
