Lose weight to Fight Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease is one of the top risks of death worldwide. The cardiovascular component to any good weight loss program has been proven to be extremely beneficial in reducing one's risk of developing the disease, as well as in helping to reduce the negative effects of the disease in those who have already been diagnosed.

The four major risk factors for coronary artery disease are:

1. high blood pressure (hypertension)
2. high blood cholesterol
3. smoking
4. sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise)

Three out of the 4 risk factors mentioned above can be mitigated by managing one's diet and following an exercise and/or weight loss program.

High Blood Pressure

Many people suffering from hypertension are also obese. One of the biggest things that these people can do to help their condition is to get started on a weight loss plan and lose weight immediately by exercising and changing their diet habits.

Achieving weight loss through exercise and a healthier diet helps the blood pressure to naturally decrease due to the smaller body mass that the heart is now responsible for pumping blood through.

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol comes in two general classes: High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholesterol) and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol).

High levels of LDL cholesterol are what are generally being referred to when someone is told that they have high cholesterol. Lowering these LDL cholesterol levels is essential for both the prevention and management of high choleterol. Meanwhile, HDL cholesterol is generally good for you, and the exercising that is associated with efforts to lose weight have been shown to increase HDL cholesterol levels.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Just the mere physical activity that one is involved with in any good weight loss program complelety obliterates this risk factor. In fact even after someone has completed their weight loss plan, continued exercise in conjunction with healthy diet habits will keep risk factor #3 well at bay.