How Being Underweight or Overweight Can Endanger Your Heart

Weight is a risk factor for heart trouble, and while excess weight is a more common issue, being underweight is also bad news for heart health. That’s because body weight plays a crucial role in how your heart functions, and when it’s imbalanced in either direction, it can cause trouble to brew. 

Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, takes a preventive approach to health, including heart health. Under the guidance of board-certified internist and cardiologist Dr. John Terzian, our team provides personalized care for patients across West Bridgewater and southeastern Massachusetts. Read on to learn how weight influences your heart health and how to protect it.

Excess weight and your heart

On average, your heart beats 100,000 times each day, circulating blood throughout the body so that your tissues receive oxygen and nutrients. The more weight you carry, the harder your heart must pump to circulate oxygenated blood. 

This extra work strains your heart and can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a condition in which the left side of your heart becomes enlarged. Over time, your heart may eventually weaken and become unable to pump efficiently. 

Other heart conditions associated with excess weight include:

• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart failure
• Atrial fibrillation
• Heart failure

The more excess weight you carry, the greater your risk for heart problems. 

Fat distribution matters

Not all body fat impacts your body the same way. There are two main types of body fat: subcutaneous (fat stored under the skin) and visceral fat (deep abdominal fat). Visceral fat wraps around your internal organs, including your liver, pancreas, and intestines, and this makes it particularly harmful when you carry too much of it.

Visceral fat is metabolically active, which means it behaves more like an endocrine organ, instead of just an inactive form of energy storage. It secretes pro-inflammatory chemicals, including cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), a key driver of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). 

When you carry excess fat on your waistline (central obesity), you have a higher risk of heart problems, even if you’re only slightly weight. 

Underweight and heart risk

When it comes to most things related to the body, balance is key, and this includes the amount of body fat you carry. Your body needs some body fat, as it plays a role in:

• Temperature regulation
• Cushioning joints and organs
• Insulation
• Hormone production
• Nutrient absorption

And, while too much body fat means trouble for the heart, so too does too little body fat. Having a low body mass index harms the heart and vascular system. People with a low body mass index (BMI) may lack essential nutrients needed for heart and vascular health. 

Malnutrition, low muscle mass, and electrolyte imbalances can lead to irregular heart rhythms, fatigue, and poor circulation. In severe cases, being underweight can cause the heart muscle to weaken, reducing its ability to pump efficiently. 

Inefficient pumping increases your risk of heart failure, particularly if you have an underlying medical condition or a history of disordered eating. A weakened immune system and poor wound healing also make recovery from heart problems more difficult.

Striking a balance for heart health

The goal is to achieve a healthy, sustainable weight that supports your heart. A balanced diet, regular physical activity, stress management, and routine medical checkups contribute to long-term heart health.

Our team checks weight-related markers, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, and works with you to create an individualized plan tailored to your unique health needs.

Protect your heart with expert care

Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, focuses on detecting problems early, before they lead to serious health concerns.

To schedule a heart health checkup, contact us at our West Bridgewater, Massachusetts office today, and let’s work together to support your heart health!