Obesity is a complex disease that can have a long-lasting impact on your general health. Achieving a healthy weight is essential for the long-term health of your body as a whole, especially your heart.
To help you get your weight under control, the heart health experts at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut offer compassionate, comprehensive weight-management services.
Our medical team provides the resources and support you need to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
Your body mass index (BMI) is a screening tool that’s used to calculate your weight to determine if you’re overweight or obese.
Your BMI is calculated by your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters. If your results are 18.5 to under 25, your weight is considered in the healthy, normal range.
If your BMI ranges from 25 to under 30, you’re considered to be overweight. Anything over 30 is classified as obese.
Obesity’s risk factors include your family history, your genetic background, and your lifestyle and diet. If you lack physical activity, use certain medications, or have environmental factors that trigger overeating, you may be more likely to be overweight or obese.
People who are overweight or obese are at a significantly higher risk for numerous chronic health conditions. You may also be more likely to experience chronic joint pain and mobility issues from the constant weight being placed on your joints and other structures.
Just some of the medical consequences of obesity include:
You may also be at a higher risk for developing mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, that lower your quality of life.
One of the most essential things to remember about getting and staying in control of your weight is that your efforts must be long-term.
Here’s a list of things that you need to do consistently to lose weight and keep it off:
Overcoming obesity starts with making better nutrition choices. You shouldn’t follow extreme or fad diets to lose weight. In fact, you can learn how to eat what you like and still lose weight through calorie counting and portion control.
Learn how to read labels and eat foods that have the essential nutrients you need without the high calorie counts, like fresh vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats and other proteins.
Physical activity is important for so many reasons. Daily exercise helps you lose weight and improves your heart health, blood circulation, and mental clarity.
The American Heart Association recommends getting at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise a day. Initially, you should aim for at least 60 minutes a day to start losing weight.
Exercise can include anything that gets you moving, like walking, running, playing tennis, or attending a spin class.
Write down everything you eat each day in a food journal, noting what you’re eating, how much, and at what time. This journal can help you recognize triggers that may cause you to overeat, such as stress or emotional issues.
With the help of our team at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, you can evaluate your relationship with food to learn better eating habits.
Invest in a quality scale that you can use at home to weight yourself at least once a week. However, it’s important to remember that muscle weighs more than fat, so as you continue with your healthier lifestyle, your scale may not show accurate readings.
For this reason, it’s important that you check in with your doctor at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut regularly. These checkups ensure that you’re losing weight safely, and our team can assess the positive impact that your weight loss is having on your heart health.
To get started on your weight loss journey, call the HeartCare Associates of Connecticut office nearest you or request an appointment through our online booking system today.
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HeartCare Associates of Connecticut provides the highest level of care to our patients. From treatments of common coronary problems, to non-invasive and state-of-the-art procedures, to life saving surgeries our dedicated and compassionate staff will make you feel at ease.
Some of the most common illnesses and issues we treat are:
Aneurysms
Cardiac Catherterization, Angiography & Stenting
Congestive Heart Failure Treatment Center
Coronary Bypass Surgery
Coronary Heart Disease
Coumadin & Anticoagulation Clinic
Diabetes
Dizziness, Palpitations, & Heart Rhythmn
Heart Valve Problems
High Cholesterol & Triglycerides
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Nuclear Cardiac Scanning
Nutrition Programs
Pacemakers
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Preventive Health Programs
Stroke Prevention
Swelling (Edema) of the Legs & Ankles
Treatment & Prevention of Obesity
Ultrasound Testing & Echocardiography
Vein Care
Womens Health