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Q: I am 50 pounds overweight, and it seems I can do everything but lose weight. I exercise 30 minutes three days a week, and overall I eat healthfully with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Do I still have to worry about heart disease?
A: Obesity is now recognized as a major independent risk factor for heart disease, and it contributes to elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. People who carry excess body fat in the waist are more likely to develop heart disease and have a stroke even if they have no other risk factors. Losing just 10 pounds can help lower your risk.
Congratulations on your healthful routine! If you want to reduce your risk further, you need to lose weight and increase your aerobic exercise.
Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., is director of nuclear cardiology and associate professor of clinical medicine at New York University. She’s also a spokesperson for the American Heart Association.
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