Research has shown that men and women who are overweight - with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above - have an increased risk for developing coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke and many other health conditions.
While it may be daunting to think about how much weight you may need to lose, remember that the American Heart Association reports that losing just 5-10% of your body weight can greatly improve heart and vascular health, boost heart function, lower blood pressure and improve metabolic measures - all while reducing your risk for a heart attack and stroke.
A registered dietitian can help you evaluate your current diet and work with you to create a plan for reaching your weight loss goals. HealthPerks members can schedule a free 30 minute consultation with an El Camino Hospital dietitian by calling 650-940-7210.
In addition, building healthy habits into your daily life, such as eating more fish, snacking on nuts, going to bed early and taking a moment throughout the day to de-stress will decrease your heart disease risk even further.
This article first appeared in the January 2014 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.
