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Even in early adulthood, being overweight is badociated with an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart muscle damage that could open the way to cardiovascular disease later in life, according to a British study
. between body mbad index (BMI) – a measure of weight adjusted for height – and cardiovascular events such as heart attacks focused on older adults
The researchers examined the relationship between l 39; BMI and cardiovascular data collected regularly. heart rate, in more than 3,000 17-year-olds born in the 1990s. They also examined cardiovascular scintigraphies in 400 21-year-old children who exhibited a higher genetic risk of having an unhealthy BMI
. "Our findings suggest that having a higher BMI probably causes higher blood pressure," said study author Kaitlin Wade of the University of Bristol at the University of Bristol. UK. The results also suggest that a higher BMI causes a higher left ventricular mbad index, reflecting widening of the left ventricle in the heart, which pumps blood around the body, she said. .
"These results suggest that BMI is likely to have a negative causal impact on the heart structure, even among young adults," Wade said by e-mail. "Our results support efforts to reduce BMI in a normal and healthy range from a young age to prevent subsequent cardiovascular disease."
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy, 25 to 29.9 is overweight, 30 or more is obese. and 40 or more is morbid or extremely obese. (The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have a free BMI calculator online here: bit.ly/2ylWKJC.)
In this study, 17-year-olds with weight data available had an average BMI of about 23, in the healthy range, and mean arterial pressure readings of about 119 mmHG over 64 mmHG, also in a healthy range.
The American Heart Association defines hypertension, or hypertension, as a systolic reading of 130 mmHg or greater and diastolic readings of 80 mmHg or more. The systolic pressure reflects the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries when the heart beats. The diastolic pressure indicates the pressure when the heart rests between the beats.
Among young adults in this study, higher BMIs were badociated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, researchers report in the circulation.
a real controlled experience designed to prove if or how overweight could directly cause heart problems.
Still, the findings suggest that heavier young adults had hearts that pumped a greater volume of blood every minute, which can lead to pressure and thickening of the heart muscle, noted Dr. Holly Gooding, a researcher at Harvard Medical School in Boston, who did not participate in the study.
"Whether because of increased metabolic needs of their higher weight, or increased inflammation generated by the fat cells themselves or something else n & # 39; It is unclear because these mechanisms have not been addressed in this study ". "What we do know is that it's not just due to lower physical activity or less optimal eating habits in these people, because these lifestyle factors were not badociated with BMI genes. "
can still take steps to minimize their risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems, Gooding added.
"Everyone can protect their heart by staying physically active, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables and whole grains, low in sodium and added sugars, and avoiding smoking," said Gooding. "These health behaviors are important regardless of the weight of each."
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