Losing Weight Can Dramatically Improve Your Vascular Health
There are many changes you can make to take control of your vascular health. Many problems that contribute to disease—and not only to your vascular system—arise from being overweight. Having obesity can increase your chances of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, and other serious vascular diseases.
Obesity can increase your levels of bad cholesterol as well as decreasing your levels of good cholesterol. Having high cholesterol puts you at risk of not only PAD, but for coronary artery disease. This is because of cholesterol buildup in the arteries, which can lead to blockages of blood and nutrient supply.
Diet and exercise are key to losing weight. However, if PAD contributes to pain when walking, trying to do low-impact exercises, like swimming or aqua aerobics, may be a better option. It is also a good idea to have your primary care physician (PCP) refer you to a dietitian or a medical weight loss program that is supervised. This will help you gain the knowledge and support you need to be successful.
Rome was not built in a day. Start with small exercise goals, and gradually increase the duration when you feel you can tolerate more.
Foods that are rich in Omega-3 vitamins, such as flaxseed and salmon, are an ideal source to help improve the amount of good cholesterol in your body. Avoiding foods that are either fried or have a high fat content is important—not only for your weight loss goals, but for your vascular system as well.
Drinking four to six glasses of water every day is a great way to stay hydrated. It is also a good replacement for sugary drinks, even juices, which are not as healthy as the pictures on the label would have you believe.
The most important step you can take to improve your vascular health and start losing weight is deciding to do it. You are not on this journey alone. Get help and support from your PCP and other weight loss professionals. They will be your partner and hold you accountable to your goals.