Obesity Tripled Heart-Related Deaths in the U.S., New Study Shows
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has highlighted the concerning and increasing link between obesity and heart-related deaths. Over a 20-year span, the number of obesity-related heart disease deaths tripled in the U.S., revealing a significant health crisis.
The study, which analyzed electronic health records from 281,135 heart disease deaths, found that heart deaths were highest among Black people, particularly Black women, followed by individuals of American Indian or Alaska Native descent.
The lead author of the study, Dr. Zahra Raisi-Estabragh, emphasized the global nature of the obesity problem, stating, “The number of people with obesity is rising in every country across the world.” This increasing burden of obesity is now translating into rising heart disease deaths, as demonstrated by the study.
Concerningly, the study found that Black women had the highest rates of fatal heart disease linked to obesity. For other racial groups, men were more likely to be affected than women.
The researchers also examined the impact of urban versus rural settings on obesity-linked heart disease deaths. The results showed that Black adults in urban areas experienced higher rates of obesity-related heart disease deaths compared to those in rural areas. However, for all other racial groups, individuals living in rural areas faced a higher risk.
Dr. Mamas A. Mamas, the senior author of the study, highlighted the striking difference in heart disease death rates between Black women and men, stating, “The trend of higher obesity-related cardiovascular death rates for Black women than men was striking and different from all other racial groups considered in our study.”
According to Dr. Marc Siegel, an expert in cardiovascular medicine, there are multiple factors contributing to the increased risk of heart disease in individuals with obesity. Inflammatory chemicals build up in white fat, leading to higher clotting risks and the development of coronary plaques, which can cause sudden heart attacks. Additionally, obesity is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, poor food choices leading to high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, all of which increase the risk of death from heart disease.
Obesity is also directly linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The excess of white adipose tissue in the body decreases the number of insulin receptors per body surface area, further increasing the risk of heart disease and death.
The study acknowledges some potential limitations, including errors in medical coding and data entry. However, the results clearly highlight the urgent need for interventions to address the rising burden of obesity and prevent heart disease deaths.
With approximately 42% of the U.S. population now classified as obese, there is a pressing need for action. Cardiovascular disease already claims the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans each year, making it the leading cause of death in the country. To reverse this trend, effective strategies to combat obesity and promote heart health are crucial.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
